LIVERPOOL, England â Liverpool have appointed Julian Ward as sporting director with immediate effect, bringing a familiar figure back to one of the most influential positions at Anfield after Richard Hughes stepped down earlier this month.
The 45-year-old returns for a second spell in the role after most recently working as technical director for Fenway Sports Group (FSG). His appointment gives Liverpool continuity at a time when the club has undergone another significant reshaping of its football leadership.
Julian Ward returns to a familiar Liverpool role
Ward has spent much of the past 14 years inside Liverpool’s recruitment structure. He joined the club in 2012 after previously working at Manchester City and initially focused on Liverpool’s scouting network in Spain and Portugal.
He later became loan pathways and football partnerships manager, helping oversee development routes and temporary moves for young players, before progressing to assistant sporting director in December 2020.
Ward succeeded Michael Edwards as Liverpool sporting director following the 2021-22 season. His first spell at the top lasted one season before he left in summer 2023.
Major transfers came during Ward’s first spell
Ward’s previous period in Liverpool’s senior recruitment operation coincided with several important deals.
Luis DĂaz, Darwin NĂșñez and Cody Gakpo arrived around his time as a senior transfer decision-maker, while Liverpool also completed the agreement for Alexis Mac Allister before Ward’s 2023 departure.
That history matters because Ward is not arriving with an unfamiliar system to learn. He already understands Liverpool’s scouting model, contract processes, academy pathways and relationships across FSG.
Richard Hughes’ exit opened the position
Richard Hughes officially stepped down on September 5 after more than two years at Anfield. Liverpool said Hughes had informed the ownership of his desire to pursue a fresh challenge.
His spell included Liverpool winning their 20th league title in 2024-25 and qualifying for the Champions League the following season. Hughes subsequently became sporting director of Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal.
Liverpool confirmed Hughes’ departure and the search for his successor in an official club statement.
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Mike Gordon led Liverpool’s search
FSG president Mike Gordon led the process of finding Hughes’ replacement, with Liverpool considering options from both inside and outside the organisation.
Brentford technical director Lee Dykes was among the executives reported to have held talks, while Brentford sporting director Phil Giles was also linked with the position. Liverpool ultimately turned to someone already embedded within FSG’s football structure.
Ward returned to FSG in 2024 as technical director, with responsibilities that included player-development pathways and the academy. That experience made him a natural internal option when the sporting director position became vacant.
Ward will work closely with Andoni Iraola
One of the most important relationships will now be between Ward and Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.
A sporting director’s responsibilities extend far beyond completing transfers. Ward will have a major role in long-term squad planning, recruitment strategy, contracts and coordinating football decisions between the coaching operation and ownership.
He also joins an established structure that includes assistant sporting director David Woodfine and experienced recruitment personnel, giving Liverpool the opportunity to maintain continuity rather than rebuild their football department again.
The appointment comes during a period of significant off-field developments across the Premier League, including the continuing attention surrounding the Manchester City 114 charges case.
Ward faces immediate decisions at Anfield
The timing means Ward will move quickly into recruitment and squad-planning work ahead of future transfer windows. His previous experience scouting Spain and Portugal, combined with his international contacts and knowledge of Liverpool’s existing recruitment network, gives him an established base from which to operate.
Player development will also remain important. Premier League clubs increasingly have to balance expensive first-team recruitment with pathways for emerging talent, an issue also highlighted by the recent JJ Gabriel situation at Manchester United.
Transfer rumours need to be separated from the appointment
Ward’s return will inevitably generate speculation about Liverpool’s January and summer transfer plans, particularly given his previous involvement in major deals.
However, his appointment does not confirm any individual transfer target. Reports linking Liverpool with players should be assessed separately unless backed by the club or other reliable sourcing.
The immediate significance is organisational. After moving through Michael Edwards, Ward, Jörg Schmadtke and Hughes in recent years, Liverpool have returned to an executive who already understands the club’s recruitment operation and FSG structure. Ward now takes responsibility for decisions on transfers, contracts and squad development that could shape Liverpool well beyond the next window.
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