Liverpool have brought Julian Ward back as their sporting director, the 45-year-old returns to the role as Richard Hughes departs. Ward was at the club already during the 2022-23 season and now returns to help lead the club’s football operations during another period of change.
Julian Ward returns to sporting director role
Ward replaces Hughes, who left Liverpool after more than two years at Anfield. The search for a replacement was headed by FSG president Mike Gordon, with the club ultimately turning to a familiar figure. As reported by BBC Sport, Ward previously joined the Reds in 2012 as the club’s European manager for scouting in Portugal and Spain. He was later named assistant sporting director before becoming the main sporting director in 2022.
His first spell in the role lasted only one season. Ward decided to leave when the 2022-23 campaign ended. He returned to FSG in 2024 as technical director. Over the past two years, he has worked on player development, recruitment and the club’s wider plans for young talent.
Ward has now taken another chance to work directly with Liverpool’s senior football team. His past experience at the club could help him settle into the role quickly. He already knows many of the people and systems within Liverpool’s sporting department. This also means he has a clear idea of how the club works behind closed doors**.**
Liverpool benefit from Ward’s transfer experience
Ward’s return also gives Liverpool someone with past experience in the sporting director role. The club made plenty of vital signings when he first arrived. These included Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Alexis Mac Allister. Ward will now hope to use that experience in his new role. He will be involved in recruitment and squad planning alongside Liverpool’s existing football department. Due to his past work at the club, he could understand the team’s needs and plan for future transfer windows.
As reported by The Guardian, Ward was always highly valued by FSG during his time away from the sporting director position. As technical director, he was involved in the club’s global approach to identifying and developing younger players. That work has become increasingly important for Liverpool, who have continued to invest in young talent while also maintaining a competitive senior squad.
Ward will work with assistant sporting director David Woodfine, chief scout Barry Hunter and FSG’s football development team. He will also need to build a strong working relationship with head coach Andoni Iraola as the club’s sporting plans continue to take shape.
Liverpool Football Stadium - Anfield
Liverpool Football Stadium - Anfield
Ward faces several key decisions
The new sporting director will have several important matters to deal with after taking charge. Contract decisions are likely to be among them, with Liverpool needing to consider the futures of senior players whose current agreements are approaching their final stages.
Ward will also oversee recruitment planning as Liverpool prepare for future Premier League and European campaigns. His awareness about the club’s younger players could prove useful as the academy and first-team structures continue to develop.
His return comes at a time when Liverpool’s hierarchy has seen several changes. Hughes has departed, while former FSG chief executive of football Michael Edwards has also left the organization. Ward’s familiarity with Liverpool and FSG was an important factor behind the decision to bring him back. He has already worked across several areas of the club since first arriving in 2012.
For Liverpool, the appointment brings back an experienced figure who already understands the club’s recruitment structure and internal operations. Ward now has the task of helping shape the next stage of the team’s development while working alongside Iraola and the other departments.
Read More: Kees Smit: Liverpool step up interest in £51.5m star
Also Read: Federico Chiesa wants Liverpool exit as January plans revealed
Read Next: Givairo Read: Liverpool make move for five-assist Feyenoord star