LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 27, 2025: Julian Ward after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 5-1 and became League Champions. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 27, 2025: Julian Ward after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 5-1 and became League Champions. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool could make both an internal hire and a new appointment as they make their plans for the sporting director job, with Julian Ward firmly in the frame.
The Reds are currently without a sporting director after Richard Hughes formalised his exit at the end of the summer transfer window.
Hughes was long expected to depart and his commitment to the club came into question throughout the past 12 months, and he is now officially in place at Al-Hilal.
Liverpool have explored a number of options when it comes to replacing the Scot and Sky Sports‘ Lyall Thomas reports that Fenway Sports Group are “seriously considering” Ward for the job.
Ward is currently FSG’s technical director but could take up duties in charge of transfers for the first team and beyond.
Liverpool could hire Lee Dykes as technical director
It is further reported that Liverpool would also consider an additional hire, with it possible that a co-sporting director or technical director is brought in alongside Ward.
BBC Sport‘s Sami Mokbel has already revealed contact with Brentford technical director Lee Dykes, and Thomas names him as an option who “could be appointed in some capacity.”
David Woodfine is currently in place as assistant sporting director but the expectation is that he will remain in that role.
Furthermore, the suggestion is that Pedro Marques, another who has been touted for the job, would also stay in his position as FSG’s director of football development.
Liverpool’s wider restructure and the role of new owners
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2026: Liverpool FC vice-chairman Amit Bhatia and Chief Executive Officer Billy Hogan before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2026: Liverpool FC vice-chairman Amit Bhatia and Chief Executive Officer Billy Hogan before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool not only saw Hughes leave the club this year but also Michael Edwards, who resigned from his post as FSG’s CEO of football having grown frustrated in his role.
The club have since confirmed the sale of a significant minority share to 1892 Holdings, a consortium led by new vice-chairman Amit Bhatia and including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin.
Bhatia has already been a visible presence on matchdays, and though the investment is still under process of being ratified, the expectation is that he will take a hands-on approach.
1892 Holdings have an option to purchase Liverpool outright within the next 12 months and it stands to reason that Bhatia will be heavily involved in decisions at boardroom level.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Wednesday, October 2, 2024: Liverpool's (L-R) Under-21's head coach Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, Academy Director Alex Inglethorpe, FSG technical director Julian Ward, and club Ambassador Sir Kenny Dalglish during the UEFA Youth League game between Liverpool FC Under-19's and Bologna FC 1909 Under-19's at the Liverpool Academy. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Wednesday, October 2, 2024: Liverpool's (L-R) Under-21's head coach Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, Academy Director Alex Inglethorpe, FSG technical director Julian Ward, and club Ambassador Sir Kenny Dalglish during the UEFA Youth League game between Liverpool FC Under-19's and Bologna FC 1909 Under-19's at the Liverpool Academy. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Ward has held various duties with the club since he first arrived as European scouting manager for Spain and Portugal in 2012.
The Liverpool-born former midfielder was promoted to loan pathways manager in 2015 before becoming Edwards’ assistant sporting director in 2020.
He then held the role of sporting director for just over a year before briefly leaving the club and then joining FSG’s setup in 2024.
Ward’s current position sees him work closely with Marques, overseeing Liverpool’s academy and loan setup along with wider football strategy – which has included a number of high-potential signings along with a hand in first-team transfers.
Football – Football League Cup – 3rd Round – Liverpool FC v Tottenham Hotspur FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister celebrates after his side's second goal during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Araujo, Iraola FI
Araujo, Iraola FI