Liverpool has reappointed Julian Ward as sporting director, bringing its former transfer chief back into the role after Richard Hughes’ departure for Al-Hilal.
The club confirmed Saturday that Ward would take charge immediately. He moves from his position as Fenway Sports Group’s technical director and returns to a job he previously held during the 2022–23 season.
FSG president Mike Gordon said Ward’s experience of Liverpool and the wider football industry made him suited to leading the club’s football operations. Gordon also linked the appointment to providing support for head coach Andoni Iraola.
“I am incredibly excited to take on this role,” Ward said in Liverpool’s announcement.
Ward first joined Liverpool in 2012 after working with Manchester City and Portugal’s national team. His initial responsibilities involved scouting, recruitment and player development, before promotions took him into oversight of loans and eventually the sporting director’s office.
He became assistant sporting director in December 2020 and succeeded Michael Edwards in 2022. Ward left that role in 2023, then returned to FSG in 2024 with a broader player-development brief, including work involving the academy and loan pathways.
During his first spell as sporting director, Liverpool signed Darwin Núñez and Cody Gakpo. His subsequent FSG position focused on player development across the ownership group’s football operations, including academy oversight and the routes available to players going out on loan.
Hughes’ move to Saudi Arabia was confirmed by Al-Hilal on September 6. The club said he had arrived in Riyadh and begun work as sporting director, joining a management group that also included football technical director Simon Francis and recruitment director Mark Burchill.
Hughes had joined Liverpool from Bournemouth in 2024 and held the position during the club’s 2024–25 Premier League title season. His departure opened the post now filled by Ward, with the replacement coming from within the owners’ existing football structure.
Ward said he intended to build on the work of Liverpool’s existing staff across its senior teams and academy. Gordon said his experience would help the football operations department support Iraola as the head coach continues his first season at the club.
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This page is an original Sporting Page summary. The reporting remains with Liverpool: appointment announcement.
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