BILL Foley labelled Richard Hughes a “great man” as he prepares to leave Cherries to join Liverpool, adding: “He will always be a friend to the club.”

After a decade behind the scenes, former Cherries midfielder Hughes is set to leave Dorset at the end of the season, with Simon Francis stepping up to becoming technical director.

Hughes has been headhunted as part of an exciting new era at Liverpool under Michael Edwards, where he will serve as sporting director.

Discussing the departure of Hughes, owner Foley told Sky Sports: “It’s a compliment to the club, that we have those kind of individuals working for the club that can move on to different situations and maybe do a little better financially at a club like Liverpool than they can at Bournemouth, because we’re a small club.

“Richard has been a great asset and a great ally.

“I know we’ll still work together when he’s at Liverpool.

“He’s got his job to do and we have our job to do, but he will always be a friend to the club.

“I applaud him, he’s a great man.”

Hughes, 44, will officially take up his post at Liverpool on June 1.