Liverpool to appoint Julian Ward as sporting director for the second time

Liverpool are set to appoint Julian Ward as their new sporting director less than four years after he left the role, according to The Athletic.

The 45-year-old has emerged as Fenway Sports Group’s preferred candidate to replace Richard Hughes, who officially left Liverpool earlier this month after two-and-a-half years.

The ownership-led process to appoint Hughes’ successor is now nearing its conclusion, with Ward expected to return to the role he held during the 2022/23 season.

The Englishman joined Liverpool in 2012 from Manchester City as the club’s European scouting manager for Spain and Portugal before moving into a role overseeing loan pathways and football partnerships.

He later became assistant sporting director in 2020, working alongside Michael Edwards. He succeeded Edwards when he left in 2022.

Ward’s first spell as sporting director lasted just one season, although he played a significant role in Liverpool’s recruitment during that period.

He was involved in the arrivals of Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, and remained beyond his planned departure date to help complete the signing of Alexis Mac Allister in 2023.

Ward was then appointed FSG’s technical director in 2024 after Edwards returned to the ownership group, taking responsibility for player development pathways and the academy.

His proposed return would give Liverpool continuity during a period of considerable behind-the-scenes change.

Edwards stepped down as FSG’s chief executive officer of football in July, while Hughes and recruitment figures Mark Burchill and Craig McKee have also departed.

Liverpool are also changing at the ownership level after FSG agreed to sell a 38 percent stake in the club to a consortium led by Amit Bhatia.

Ward already understands FSG’s structure, Liverpool’s recruitment operation and the demands of the sporting director position.

With the club now operating under a head coach model rather than the all-powerful managerial structure of Jurgen Klopp’s era, his second spell could also come with a clearer remit.

His first order of business could be finding a worthy replacement for Mohamed Salah, something the club failed to do this summer.

The Reds also need a new number six and may have to sign new full-backs.