Julian Ward has been appointed Liverpool's sporting director, succeeding Richard Hughes who departed for Al Hilal. Ward's association with Liverpool dates back to 2012 when he joined from Manchester City to oversee scouting in Spain and Portugal. Over the next decade he held various roles including assistant sporting director to Michael Edwards, who later became CEO of FSG from 2024-2026. Ward previously served as sporting director during the 2022-23 season before departing for personal reasons in 2023.

The appointment was led by Mike Gordon, president of Fenway Sports Group (FSG), with whom Ward was already employed as technical director. His return comes as Liverpool undergoes significant transition both on and off the pitch, with the playing squad being overhauled.

Ward's key responsibilities include deciding the futures of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker, as well as identifying new signings. His previous tenure saw impactful acquisitions including Luis Díaz, Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister, and Darwin Núñez, all contributing to Liverpool's Premier League title-winning campaign under Arne Slot.

Fluent in Portuguese, Ward's relationships in Portugal and South America are considered crucial assets as Liverpool navigates this pivotal period.