Julian Ward Set for Liverpool Sporting Director Return After Hughes Exit
Julian Ward is nearing a return as Liverpool sporting director, stepping in after Richard Hughes left the post earlier this month for Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal.
Liverpool sporting director update
| Item | Latest position | Key context |
|---|---|---|
| Julian Ward | Leading candidate | Set for a second spell as sporting director |
| Richard Hughes | Departed this month | Has joined Al Hilal |
| Ward at FSG | Technical director for two years | Remained within Liverpool’s ownership group after leaving the club role in 2023 |
Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon has overseen the search, with Ward emerging quickly as the preferred internal solution.
Ward previously ran Liverpool’s sporting operation during the 2022-23 campaign. He left that job in 2023 for personal reasons, but stayed connected to the wider FSG structure as technical director.
His first stint as sporting director included the arrivals of Darwin Núñez, Cody Gakpo and Alexis Mac Allister. A return would give Liverpool an experienced figure who already knows the club’s recruitment systems, football department and senior decision-makers.
Ward’s Liverpool history began in 2012, when he arrived from Manchester City to manage scouting across Spain and Portugal. He subsequently worked on the loan programme and football partnerships, before becoming assistant sporting director under Michael Edwards.
Hughes joined Liverpool from AFC Bournemouth in March 2024 and was charged with helping steer the post-Jürgen Klopp rebuild. His work included the appointment of Arne Slot and, before his departure, Slot’s successor Andoni Iraola.
Ward’s anticipated appointment would also provide stability during a major ownership development. The 1892 Holdings Consortium, led by Amit Bhatia and including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is working to purchase a 38% stake in Liverpool.
What happens next: Liverpool are expected to complete Ward’s return and restore an established executive to the sporting director role as the club prepares for its next recruitment decisions.
