Of course, Hughes has his own interest in Italy, having grown up in the country and started his playing career in the academy at Atalanta. His love of Serie A football led to many discussions with Edwards regarding Alisson Becker and Mohamed Salah long before their moves to Merseyside with Liverpool’s new sporting director inadvertently playing a small role in their transfers as a result.
Meanwhile, Hughes is said to be a big fan of De Zerbi and even tried to appoint him as Bournemouth manager in August 2022 following the sacking of Scott Parker. If not for an ownership change, Hughes would have got his man, having been left suitably impressed by what he had seen during the 44-year-old’s time with Sassuolo.
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