Ranking 5 current best sporting directors in football: No.1 contributed to a great club treble

Football history is often written through goals, trophies, and iconic managers, but behind every successful era lies a figure rarely seen on the pitch. Sporting directors shape squads, define transfer strategies, and build the long-term identity of clubs.

From assembling title-winning teams to identifying future superstars before the world notices, these individuals operate in the shadows while influencing everything. Their decisions determine whether a club rises, rebuilds, or collapses.

This article from livesports088 explores the best sporting directors in football today, ranking five figures whose impact has defined modern elite football.

5 current best sporting directors in football

5. Richard Hughes

Stepping into the massive void left at Liverpool post-Jurgen Klopp, Richard Hughes has executed a masterclass in squad evolution during the 2025/26 season. Under the guidance of Michael Edwards, Hughes oversaw a record-breaking summer spend of £446m, securing generational talents like Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike to reinforce a title-winning roster.

His ability to balance these marquee signings with the opportunistic acquisition of Federico Chiesa and the long-term planning for Giorgi Mamardashvili has solidified Liverpool's dominance. Hughes has proven that a data-driven approach, combined with the football intelligence to identify "pre-peak" talent, is the ultimate formula for sustained success at Anfield.

4. Andrea Berta

Since taking over as Arsenal's sporting director in March 2025, Andrea Berta has revolutionized the club's recruitment strategy with the same methodical precision that defined his twelve-year tenure at Atlético Madrid. Working alongside Mikel Arteta, Berta utilized record revenues of £691m to provide the financial flexibility needed for a relentless title charge in the 2025/26 campaign.

His focus on mental resilience and tactical versatility was evident in the signing of Viktor Gyökeres, who has become the club's top goalscorer. Berta’s expertise in navigating the complex summer market ahead of the 2026 World Cup ensures that Arsenal remains a dominant force in European football.

3. Christoph Freund

The Austrian specialist has successfully transitioned his legendary Salzburg talent pipeline to the grand stage of Bayern Munich during the last three seasons at Allianz Arena. Freund’s philosophy of identifying "hungry" players has ended the era of panic buys in Bavaria, replaced by collaborative squad planning and high-value reinforcements.

His strategic maneuvers have kept Bayern at the summit of the Bundesliga. By integrating youth development with elite recruitment, Freund has provided a sustainable blueprint for the club's future, ensuring they remain "well-equipped" for the rigorous demands of Champions League knockout football.

2. Luis Campos

Widely recognized as a genius of squad restructuring, Luis Campos was awarded "Best Sporting Director" at the 2025 Globe Soccer Awards for his transformative work at Paris Saint-Germain. In the 2024/25 season, Campos has successfully pivoted the club away from short-term signings toward a balanced, long-term project centered on technical cohesion. Despite the departure of Kylian Mbappe, PSG have made quality signings to become a more balanced and united team.

His ability to identify and secure elite talents like João Neves and Khvich Kvaratskhelia has created a press-resistant squad that dominated Ligue 1, and claimed to first Champions League title ever. Campos continues to prove that his scouting network and financial discipline can assemble championship-winning teams, regardless of the budget constraints or the immense pressure of the Parisian spotlight.

1. Txiki Begiristain

At the pinnacle of the executive world, Txiki Begiristain remains the gold standard for sporting directors, even as he prepares for his eventual departure from Manchester City. He made a historic 2022/23 season with the signing of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez, as Manchester City secured the continental treble.

His influence throughout the 2025/26 campaign has been instrumental in maintaining the club's unprecedented dominance, ensuring that every signing fits Pep Guardiola’s meticulous tactical identity.

Having built a legacy that includes multiple Premier League titles and a historic treble, Txiki’s final acts in recruitment have focused on future-proofing the squad with young Brazilian talents and elite defensive anchors. His career-long commitment to a clear footballing philosophy makes him the most respected and successful director in the history of the modern game.

5 current best sporting directors in football:

1. Txiki Begiristain

2. Luis Campos

3. Christoph Freund

4. Andrea Berta

5. Richard Hughes

The best sporting directors in football rarely receive headlines, but their influence is undeniable. From building title-winning squads to shaping entire football philosophies, these figures operate at the highest level of decision-making.

When discussing the best sporting directors in football, it becomes clear that success is not accidental, it is carefully constructed behind the scenes. Their work defines eras, creates dynasties, and ultimately determines whether clubs reach the top or fall behind.

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