Julian Ward looks set to return to Liverpool as sporting director three years after leaving the club with one major transfer decision from his previous spell resurfacing
Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid applauds the fans after the LaLiga defeat against Atletico Madrid
Liverpool were linked with Jude Bellingham prior to his move to Real Madrid(Image: Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images)
Liverpool looks set to re-appoint Julian Ward as sporting director following the recent departure of Richard Hughes, so it's no surprise his previous signings and big decisions have resurfaced.
The Reds are not exactly in unfamiliar territory as they look to fill the role, given they have had four different sporting directors in four years. Ward was initially appointed as Michael Edwards' successor in 2022, but his stint was short-lived as he left after just a year in the post.
Among the players signed under his leadership were Luis Diaz, Fabio Carvalho, Darwin Nunez, Arthur Melo and Cody Gakpo. He also laid a lot of the groundwork before his departure for the signing of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton.
He was also heavily involved in renewing Mohamed Salah 's contract in 2022, which saw the Egyptian become the highest-paid player in the club's history. But the deals Ward didn't do have also become a topic of conversation ahead of his expected appointment.
Liverpool underwent a significant midfield rebuild in the summer of 2023, with Jordan Henderson and Fabinho both at the end of their Anfield careers. Jude Bellingham had been setting the Bundesliga alight with Borussia Dortmund and was one of the most sought-after midfielders on the market that summer.
To little surprise, the Reds were one of a number of suitors. However, Bellingham was destined for Real Madrid and Liverpool went in a different direction with Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and, eventually, Ryan Gravenberch after a pursuit of Moises Caicedo fell flat.
An article from The Athletic explains why Liverpool's interest in Bellingham fizzled out, and it has been claimed Ward was behind the decision to pull the plug. It claims he was unconvinced by Bellingham's desire to join the Reds, especially given Real Madrid's known interest.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) U18 manager Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, academy director Alex Inglethorpe, technical director Julian Ward and Sir Kenny Dalglish of Liverpool watch the action during the UEFA Youth Champions League match at AXA Melwood Training Centre on October 02, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Julian Ward is set to be reappointed as Liverpool's sporting director(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Ward is also said to have based the decision on the fact the midfield rebuild required more than just one new addition and resources needed to be spread out. The overall deal that saw Bellingham move to the Bernabeu could yet rise to £115 million ($152 million), which was an eye-watering fee at the time.
Instead, Liverpool spent a combined £145 million ($192 million) on Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch and Endo. Although it must be said, a successful pursuit of Caicedo would have seen the Reds pay Brighton a similar fee to what Bellingham cost.
It can be argued that the decision not to pursue Bellingham that summer was correct, not least because it allowed Liverpool to pursue other players and lay the groundwork for its midfield rebuild. Manchester United and Arsenal were both credited with interest in Mac Allister, while Newcastle was keen to sign Szoboszlai from Leipzig.
All three midfielders also played a crucial role in Liverpool's Premier League title win in 2025. But the current makeup of the midfield may be something Ward has to consider going forward as Mac Allister faces an uncertain future, while both Szoboszlai and Gravenberch are tied down to long-term deals.