Photo by Chesnot/Getty Images
Photo by Chesnot/Getty Images
Julian Ward has plenty to get his teeth into as Liverpool’s latest sporting director after taking on the role for a second time in September.
The 45-year-old lasted only 12 months during his first stint under Jurgen Klopp, and with rumours swirling that Fenway Sports Group could sell Liverpool to new investors 1892 Holdings over the next year, fans may be concerned that another change could be brewing.
However, while worries over the long-term direction of the club are valid, journalist David Lynch has claimed that the investors, who notoriously count Jeff Bezos amongst their party, are fans of Ward, who is a strong candidate to stay as Liverpool‘s long-term sporting director.
Jeff Bezos speaks onstage ahead of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at Blue Origin in Cape Canaveral, Florida (Credit: Getty Images/Mguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/AFP).
Jeff Bezos speaks onstage ahead of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at Blue Origin in Cape Canaveral, Florida (Credit: Getty Images/Mguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/AFP).
1892 Holdings are fans of Julian Ward
Although Ward’s previous Liverpool signings were a somewhat mixed bunch, Lynch claims that FSG have full faith in him, and has also given some insight into how the wider footballing world see him as well.
“I was told by someone I really do trust around Liverpool that Julian Ward is hugely well regarded and connected in the industry,” the reporter said on his YouTube channel. “Really seen as a top, top operator and, not to do down anybody else who’s had this role, but he’s really, really well regarded and this stuff helps.
“He’s a known face, he’s respected, they know that when they go into a negotiation with him that it will be hard but fair, but also he’s got the contacts to know of the players and the ways of contacting players and to really sell the Liverpool project to them as well.”
Despite that, there is reason to believe that FSG will be out of the door fairly soon, leading the way to further uncertainty at the club. Lynch, however, believes that the potential new Liverpool owners would lean towards keeping things as they are.
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“I think the club is still in some uncertainty of course, in terms of new investors coming in, potential for a change in leadership and ownership potentially in that 12 month time scale that’s been mentioned,” he said.
“But what I clearly get the idea, and through conversations I’m having really, is that FSG clearly think this guy can do the job going forward. They’ve got huge confidence that he’ll take them back to where they were and offer that stability that’s maybe compromised Liverpool a little bit in terms of the transfer market in recent years.
“But also the potential new owners, I think there’s a real sense I get that they are also real admirers of Julian Ward and also the way that FSG have operated.
“So, he’s not just a continuity candidate potentially for FSG, but I would not be surprised at all if there was that change of ownership in 12 months time, which is potentially being mooted, that he would stick around. Because, I think those potential new owners, or new investors we’ll call them now, are very much similar to FSG in terms of the belief of how things should be operated around transfers.”
Plenty can change in a year, and Ward will ultimately be judged on his signings at Liverpool and how he handles things like contract renewals. But if he can steer the ship towards steadier ground, there will be no reason for 1892 Holdings – if they are to take over – to come in and rock it once again.
Photo by Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Photo by Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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Photo by ANP via Getty Images
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