Julian Ward returns to Liverpool as sporting director, with the Premier League club bringing back the experienced football executive to help shape the squad under new head coach Andoni Iraola. Ward was given the job of replacing Richard Hughes, who was recently sacked after two years in charge of Anfield following his move to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal.
Ward is taking up his second role as Liverpool’s sporting director. He has a long association with the club and has a wealth of knowledge of how the club operates and recruits.
Ward made his way into the sporting director role in 2023, but he temporarily left it behind to remain with Fenway Sports Group (FSG) as the group’s technical director before his appointment to Liverpool’s top-tier football management hierarchy.
His first job is to join forces with Iraola as Liverpool plan their squad and recruitment. After being quite busy with transfers, the club is going to be seeking to plug gaps and add balance.
FSG president Mike Gordon was impressed by Ward’s background and experience in the organisation, and welcomed his return. Gordon said the signing would boost Liverpool’s game and will help support Iraola at the helm. Ward’s move follows a wider change of leadership at Anfield. The club has seen a lot of changes off the field and on the field in Liverpool, including changes to the ownership structure.
The Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos, joined a group of investors who came up with a definitive deal to buy a minority share in Liverpool in August. The club was purchased by FSG in 2010, and is still majority-owned and under operational control of the owners.
Liverpool came into the Premier League as fifth last season and are currently sixth having won four, drawn one and lost two games. Ward has come back to a crucial role as the club transitions to the next chapter in its development under Iraola.
