Liverpool appoint Julian Ward as sporting director in second Anfield stint
Liverpool turn to familiar face for stability after summer of transition
Liverpool have appointed Julian Ward as the club's new sporting director, handing the 45-year-old a second stint in the role after Richard Hughes departed in September following just over two years in the job.
Ward described himself as "incredibly excited" to return to the position he first held during the 2022-23 campaign. His reappointment comes after Liverpool's hierarchy spoke to external candidates, but the former European scouting manager was viewed as the stand-out choice.
"We are delighted that Julian has agreed to take over leadership of our football operations department at this juncture, primarily because it is a role for which we believe he is the ideal candidate given his extensive experience of the football industry in general and Liverpool Football Club in particular," said Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon.
"The knowledge and expertise he brings will only enhance our football operations, while also ensuring Andoni Iraola is provided with the support he requires as he continues to make such a positive impression as head coach."
A Liverpool man returns
Ward first joined Liverpool in 2012 as European scouting manager for Spain and Portugal, was promoted to assistant sporting director in 2020, and succeeded Michael Edwards as sporting director two years later. By November 2022 it had been confirmed he would leave at the end of that season, but he was brought back in 2024 as FSG's technical director when Edwards was made chief executive of football.
In his most recent role, Ward has overseen player development pathways and the academy for the past two years, and played a part in Liverpool's push to recruit younger talent.
What he brings
Ward's previous spell as sporting director came under Jurgen Klopp, where he oversaw the signings of Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister and Darwin Nunez. He has a global contacts network and plenty of negotiation experience, and was influential when Mohamed Salah renewed his contract in 2022 — flying to see the forward on holiday to seal the deal.
His relationship with super-agent Jorge Mendes helped Liverpool in their pursuit of Diogo Jota. One source described Ward as "calm, well-spoken and with a clear opinion and vision."
The jobs ahead
There is plenty for Ward to tackle immediately, including securing Rio Ngumoha on a long-term deal now that he has turned 18, and determining whether new contracts are offered to Alisson and Virgil van Dijk before their current agreements expire this summer.
Under Klopp, Ward left 12 months into a three-year deal, but he should have more of a say now given how the head coach role has been structured under both Arne Slot and his successor Andoni Iraola. Time will tell if the appointment proves a success, but in the here and now, Ward looks a more-than-sensible choice for a club in need of stability.