Liverpool looks to be closing in on the appointment of a new sporting director, with the club expected to make an internal appointment after Richard Hughes' exit
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 25: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Barry Hunter, Julian Ward, Michael Edwards, Richard Hughes and David Woodfine pose for a photograph with the Premier League trophy, as Liverpool are crowned the Champions of the Premier League for the 2024/25 Season, following Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield on May 25, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Barry Hunter, Julian Ward, Michael Edwards, Richard Hughes and David Woodfine after Liverpool's Premier League title win in 2025(Image: Getty Images)
Julian Ward looks set to be reappointed as Liverpool’s sporting director, with the club having landed on its preferred option to replace Richard Hughes.
The Reds have been searching for a new transfer chief after Hughes left his role earlier this month. The Scot spent just over two years in position at Anfield, during which time he played a big role in the appointments of Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola, and broke records with the signings of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
Hughes’ departure had been expected throughout the summer, with his move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal being confirmed shortly after his exit, having remained in his post at Liverpool during the transfer window.
Liverpool has subsequently conducted a search for his successor, with FSG’s current technical director Ward now expected to be appointed, according to The Athletic.
Ward was previously Liverpool’s sporting director during the 2022/23 season, having taken over from Michael Edwards after working as his assistant. During his sole year in the role, the Reds signed the likes of Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, while he also completed the deal that saw Alexis Mac Allister move to Anfield at the start of the 2023 summer window.
Ward returned to work with FSG in 2024 as part of the shake-up following Jurgen Klopp’s departure as manager. He was responsible for overseeing player development pathways and the academy, and had been expected to oversee operations at another team before Liverpool’s owners shelved plans to enter multi-club ownership.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool signing a contract extension with Michael Gordon President of Fenway Sports Group and Julian Ward assistant sporting director of Liverpool at AXA Training Centre on April 28, 2022 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Julian Ward previously worked as Liverpool's sporting director in 2022(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool has considered internal and external appointments to replace Hughes in a process that has been led by FSG president Mike Gordon.
Brentford technical director Lee Dykes was among those to have held talks with the club. The Reds were also said to be admirers of the Bees’ sporting director Phil Giles, although it was suggested that luring him away from the west London club would have been difficult.
Liverpool though has seemingly always leaned towards an internal appointment, with Ward emerging as the preferred candidate. Current assistant sporting director David Woodfine, FSG director of football development Pedro Marques and director of global talent Matt Newberry had also been touted for the role.
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Ward’s reappointment as sporting director would be the latest change following a summer of major upheaval at Anfield.
Slot was fired as head coach at the end of May, before Edwards - who was FSG’s CEO of Football - left his position shortly after.
A minority stake has also been sold to a consortium led by Amit Bhatia, who has been appointed as the club's new vice-chairman, with the group having been backed by Amazon owner Jeff Bezos and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin.