Julian Ward reappointed Liverpool sporting director after Richard Hughes departure

Julian Ward has been reappointed as Liverpool's sporting director, replacing Richard Hughes, the club announced on 26 September 2026.

Hughes left for Al-Hilal after two and a half years at Anfield when the summer transfer window ended.

Ward was Liverpool's sporting director for the 2022-23 season and has spent the past two years as technical director for Fenway Sports Group, the club's owners. The 45-year-old has worked at Liverpool in various capacities over the past 14 years, including European scouting manager, assistant sporting director and sporting director.

The appointment comes amid upheaval at Anfield, with Hughes and Michael Edwards exiting this year. FSG is in the process of selling a 38% stake in the club to 1892 Holdings for £2bn, and the consortium fronted by Amit Bhatia and including the Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has an option for a full takeover should FSG decide to sell up.

Ward originally replaced Edwards as sporting director in 2022 but told FSG he wished to step away for personal reasons only months into the role. During Ward's first spell Liverpool signed Luis Díaz, Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister and Darwin Núñez, although the then manager Jürgen Klopp had a greater say on transfers after Edwards left.

The swift process of finding a successor to Hughes was led by FSG president Mike Gordon, who had resumed the day-to-day running of Liverpool after Hughes's departure. Ward remained highly regarded by FSG and Gordon considers his extensive knowledge of the club and of squad planning as invaluable.

As FSG's technical director, Ward had oversight of the global talent strategy that has seen Liverpool sign several highly rated young prospects this year.

Ward will lead the club's football operation alongside assistant sporting director David Woodfine, chief scout Barry Hunter, FSG's director of football development Pedro Marques and Andoni Iraola's senior leadership team.