Julian Ward has been reappointed as Liverpool's sporting director, succeeding Richard Hughes, who has moved to Saudi Arabia. The announcement, confirmed shortly after the transfer window closed, comes during an international break overshadowed by Manchester City's guilty verdict over 114 breaches of Premier League financial rules—a decision City have appealed.
Ward's Return and Liverpool's Succession Plan
Liverpool had known for some time that Hughes would be leaving, and the club have had ample time to prepare a succession plan, similar to when Jurgen Klopp informed owners Fenway Sports Group of his decision to step away at the end of the 2023-24 season back in November 2023.
Ward's return surprised some, given he previously held the position in 2022 before handing in his notice just a few months into the job. However, Liverpool in late 2026 are a different club from the one Klopp presided over in mid-2022, when he had just guided the Reds to 92 Premier League points, a domestic Cup double, and the Champions League final.
Experience and Contract Priorities
Back then, the sporting director was essentially a facilitator for Klopp's transfer deals, with the German being the driving force behind the club-record £85m signing of Darwin Nunez in the summer of 2022. Ward eventually walked away in the summer of 2023 after over a decade at Liverpool in various roles, having worked across Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day of 2022 to beat Manchester United to the signing of PSV star Cody Gakpo.
Ward's years of experience with Liverpool's people and processes made him one of the few equipped to take on the mantle once Hughes stepped down. His in-tray will be bulging, with contract issues regarding key performers needing immediate attention.
Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold were the big three for Hughes to handle when he joined in 2024. Two years on, Ward must reach a decision over club captain Van Dijk and long-serving goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who reiterated his importance with a flawless performance against Bournemouth last time out.
Van Dijk insisted after the Bournemouth game that he has not heard from Liverpool officials as of yet, and Alisson was considering a move to Juventus earlier this year. Both remain Anfield totems and will be enormous for Andoni Iraola this campaign, whatever the new head coach achieves. Ward may find that his first task is determining what lies beyond this season for both players.
