Julian Ward Returns as Liverpool Sporting Director After Richard Hughes Exit
Julian Ward has returned as Liverpool sporting director at a moment when continuity has become as important as recruitment. Richard Hughes has left after two years in the role to join Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal, and Ward now resumes a post he held during the 2022-23 season, with contracts, squad gaps and a new coaching relationship all requiring early attention.
A familiar appointment during a period of change
Ward was selected following a process overseen by Mike Gordon, the president of Fenway Sports Group. He had already been working for FSG as technical director since 2024, having returned alongside Michael Edwards as the ownership group explored the possibility of adding another club to its portfolio.
That multi-club project was abandoned earlier this year. Edwards, who had served as FSG chief executive from 2024 to 2026 after a long Liverpool career, departed in June. Hughes then exited after the summer transfer window, despite being only two years into a three-year agreement.
Ward brings unusual institutional knowledge to the new appointment. A Merseyside native, he joined Liverpool from Manchester City in 2012 to run scouting across Spain and Portugal. His subsequent work included responsibility for loan development and football partnerships, before he became Edwards’ assistant sporting director.
His background also extends beyond Anfield. Ward studied sports science at Liverpool John Moores University, worked with Carlos Queiroz’s Portugal technical staff in 2008, and moved to Manchester City in November 2010. He was City’s South American scouting strategist when the club won its first Premier League crown in 2012. His command of Portuguese and established contacts in Portugal and South America remain valuable parts of his profile.
Ward’s first Liverpool spell shaped major deals
Although Ward’s original period as sporting director lasted one campaign, he had already influenced Liverpool’s business before formally replacing Edwards in 2022. He helped bring Luis Díaz from FC Porto in January of that year, with Liverpool moving their plans forward after Tottenham Hotspur pursued the Colombian forward.
Ward was also heavily involved in securing Mohamed Salah’s new contract in the summer of 2022. During his time in charge, Liverpool signed Darwin Núñez, Cody Gakpo and Alexis Mac Allister. Núñez subsequently moved to Saudi Arabia in 2025, while Gakpo and Mac Allister were significant contributors to Liverpool’s Premier League-winning season under Arne Slot.
Calvin Ramsay and Fábio Carvalho were the other additions made under Ward. Carvalho’s route did at least produce a strong financial return, with Brentford paying £22.5 million for him in August 2025.
- Ward joined Liverpool’s scouting operation in 2012 after leaving Manchester City.
- He became sporting director in 2022, succeeding Edwards after two years as his deputy.
- Ward left in the summer of 2023 for personal reasons.
- He returned to FSG in 2024 as technical director.
- Hughes’ move to Al Hilal has opened the way for Ward’s second spell as Liverpool sporting director.
Contract planning and recruitment will define the early agenda
Ward inherits a squad that has been extensively rebuilt but remains unfinished. Liverpool have spent close to €750 million across the last two years, yet several key decisions are approaching.
Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker are due to become free agents next summer. Both have been central to Liverpool’s recent achievements and remain important performers, leaving the club to decide whether to renew, replace or reshape around them.
Kostas Tsimikas, Joe Gomez and Wataru Endo have contracts running only until 2027. Alexis Mac Allister’s position could also demand discussion sooner rather than later. The midfielder said earlier this month that no offer had been made to extend his current deal beyond 2028, despite his excellent start to the campaign under head coach Andoni Iraola.
Recruitment questions remain on the field as well. Right-back is still an area of concern, particularly if Conor Bradley has difficulty returning to his previous level after a serious knee injury. Liverpool possess several attacking options, but do not have a specialist right-sided winger, another potential issue for future windows.
Stability with Iraola is the wider objective
Liverpool’s head-coach structure is intended to protect the club from disruption in the dugout. Squad construction and longer-term football planning should be led by the sporting director rather than depending on one all-powerful manager. That model is less effective, however, if the executive position itself keeps changing hands.
Ward will be Liverpool’s fourth sporting director since 2022. After his departure in 2023, Jörg Schmadtke held the post briefly before Hughes was appointed in spring 2024. A longer, settled tenure would give Ward time to build a working relationship with Iraola and align recruitment with the coach’s efforts to compete in England and Europe.
The need for clear internal direction is heightened by the prospective ratification of 1892 Holdings’ 38% stake in the club. The consortium is led by Amit Bhatia and includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. FSG will continue to control Liverpool’s football operations, though the extent of the new group’s influence in coming years is not yet clear.
- Ward’s Liverpool experience offers a measure of continuity after the departures of Edwards and Hughes.
- Van Dijk and Alisson headline a group of contract cases that will shape the medium-term squad plan.
- Right-back cover and a natural right winger stand out as possible recruitment priorities.
- His ability to establish a durable partnership with Iraola will be central to Liverpool’s next phase.
