Ward appointed Liverpool Sporting Director for second time

Ward takes up his new position with immediate effect and his promotion completes a turnover of Liverpool’s entire senior football leadership within three months. Edwards left as FSG’s Chief Executive Officer of Football in July, in what the ownership described as a “planned transition”, and Hughes followed at the start of September, two years into a three-year contract.

The Scot took Chief Scout Mark Burchill and Head of Scouting Operations Craig McKee with him to Riyadh.

FSG president Mike Gordon, who has covered Edwards’ role since his departure, 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 is provided with the support he requires as he continues to make such a positive impression as Head Coach.

“Julian’s appointment also represents the continuation of a long-standing relationship which has always served Liverpool well, and we very much look forward to the next stage in its development.”

Ward added: “I am incredibly excited to take on this role and it goes without saying that I am hugely grateful for the trust that has been placed in me by ownership.

“Having been part of Liverpool’s football operation for more than a decade, I have a full appreciation and first-hand knowledge of the challenge that comes with the position, as well as a clear understanding of the demands and ambitions of this great club.

“This is an exciting period for Liverpool, on and off the pitch, in which change and opportunity go hand in hand, but at the same time the culture, values and principles that have underpinned the club for so long remain as strong as ever.

“As a football club, we will continue to create an environment that maximises performance while promoting the continued development of our players and our people. In Andoni, together with the wider team of staff across the AXA Training Centre, the Academy and AXA Melwood, we have the expertise, talent and conditions required to keep driving the club forward.

“Building on these strong foundations and the work overseen by our football operations in recent seasons is both a huge responsibility and a privilege.”

Ward’s association with Liverpool goes back to September 2012, when he joined from Manchester City as European Scouting Manager. Before that he was Head of Technical Scouting for the Portugal national team under Carlos Queiroz, having played non-league football in England and in the Irish League with Larne and Lisburn Distillery.

At Liverpool he built the club’s loan department as Loan Pathways and Football Partnerships Manager, was promoted to Assistant Sporting Director under Edwards in 2020, and was named as Edwards’ in late 2021.

Ward officially took over in June 2022, but within five months had told the club he would step down himself at the end of 2022/23. Jorg Schmadtke filled the role on a short-term basis for the summer 2023 window before Hughes arrived in June 2024, hired by the returning Edwards.

Ward’s year in charge included the signings of Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo and Alexis Mac Allister, the last of those agreed before he left. He subsequently rejoined FSG in a group-wide Technical Director role, working alongside Director of Football Development Pedro Marques.

David Woodfine remains as Assistant Sporting Director.

The changes at the top of the football operation have come alongside an ownership reshuffle, with 1892 Holdings taking a significant minority stake and former QPR chairman Amit Bhatia becoming Vice-Chairman alongside FSG’s Tom Werner.