Julian Ward returns as Liverpool sporting director
Julian Ward, 45, was appointed Liverpool's sporting director at Anfield on 26 September 2026, returning to the role for a second spell. He takes over from Richard Hughes, who left the position in September after just over two years in the job.
Ward first joined Liverpool in 2012 as European scouting manager for Spain and Portugal and was promoted to assistant sporting director in 2020. He succeeded Michael Edwards two years later, although by November 2022 it had been confirmed that Ward would leave at the end of that season. He was brought back in 2024 as Fenway Sports Group's technical director when Liverpool's owners made Edwards their chief executive of football and has spent the past two years overseeing player development pathways and the academy.
On his appointment Ward said he was "incredibly excited" to take on the role. FSG president Mike Gordon said: "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. "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."
The club described Ward's appointment as bringing some much-needed stability after a summer of transition and confirmed they spoke to external candidates before deciding. One source described him as: "Calm, well-spoken and with a clear opinion and vision." Ward has been at Liverpool since 2012, apart from a spell between the summers of 2023 and 2024.
Ward's previous spell as sporting director under Jurgen Klopp included overseeing the signings of Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister and Darwin Nunez. He was also influential when Mohamed Salah renewed his contract in 2022, reportedly flying to see Salah on holiday to seal the deal, and his relationship with the agent Jorge Mendes helped Liverpool in their pursuit of Diogo Jota.
As FSG's technical director Ward had a role in Liverpool's push to recruit younger talent and has developed a good working relationship with Mike Gordon, who oversees the day-to-day running of the club. There are a number of immediate tasks for Ward to address at Anfield following his return.
Those tasks include securing Rio Ngumoha on a long-term deal now that he is 18 and determining whether new contracts will be offered to Alisson and Virgil van Dijk before their current agreements expire this summer.
