Julian Ward Set to Succeed Richard Hughes as Liverpool's Next Sporting Director

After only two years in the job, Richard Hughes left his role as Liverpool's sporting director to join Al Hilal at the end of the summer transfer window. His exit followed Michael Edwards' own sudden departure; FSG's CEO of Football surprisingly stepped down from his position halfway through the summer window.

Liverpool have been hunting for the next man to lead their sporting project ever since. And now, the appointment of Hughes' successor is near.

On the 18th of September, Sami Mokbel (for the BBC) exclusively reported that Liverpool had met with multiple external candidates in their search for Richard Hughes' replacement. Brentford's technical director, Lee Dykes, was one candidate the club were said to have met, whilst Brentford's own sporting director, Phil Giles, was also admired. FSG President Mike Gordon is said to have been leading the recruitment process. 

Mokbel did, however, confirm that the Reds were minded to make an internal appointment. Indeed, it seems that is what is set to happen.

David Ornstein, for The Athletic, has exclusively revealed that Julian Ward is expected to be appointed as Liverpool's next sporting director, with the recruitment process now drawing towards a conclusion.

Ward is already working at the club in his capacity as technical director, a role he has served in since June 1st 2024. It was actually Michael Edwards who appointed him upon his own return to the club as FSG's CEO of Football that same summer.

Before this, Ward had already been Liverpool's sporting director for a short period after Edwards had originally walked away from the role himself. Ward was heavily involved in the signings of Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, and Cody Gakpo, as well as in laying the foundations for the transfer of Alexis Mac Allister, all before he himself resigned from the sporting director position at the end of the 22/23 season for personal reasons.

Lyall Thomas, for Sky Sports, suggested yesterday that Lee Dykes could still be in the frame to join Liverpool in some sort of co-sporting or technical director role, even in the case that an internal appointment was made - as now seems to be the case with Julian Ward.

Julian Ward returning for a second stint as sporting director is unsurprising given the up-in-the-air nature of Liverpool's ownership at the moment. It makes sense for FSG to appoint somebody that they already know and trust, with any major change to the direction of the sporting project only likely if and when 1892 Holdings becomes the majority owner of Liverpool Football Club.

With a new sporting director imminent, now is a good time to reflect on Richard Hughes' mixed legacy at the club. From delivering contract extensions for Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, to being unable to convince Ibrahima Konaté and Curtis Jones to extend their own contracts, to breaking the British transfer record twice in a row with the signings of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, and even appointing two different head coaches, it is safe to say that Richard Hughes oversaw a period of enormous change during his time at the club.

Many will fairly question the overall plan and direction of Liverpool's project under Hughes' leadership. For example, Liverpool fans have long been desperate for a defensive midfielder to be added to the squad, and such a signing was never forthcoming. Furthermore, there are continuing doubts surrounding Hughes' marquee signings - particularly Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez.

One part of Hughes' legacy that looks set to stand the test of time is the groundwork he has laid in Liverpool's defensive department. The signings of Giovanni Leoni, Ifeanyi Ndukwe, and most importantly, Jérémy Jacquet, have given almost every Liverpool fan confidence that, somehow, Liverpool's defence will be in safe hands even after Virgil van Dijk eventually leaves the club.

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