Liverpool close to appointing Julian Ward as sporting director - sources

Liverpool are closing in on the appointment of Julian Ward as the club's new sporting director, sources told ESPN.

Ward previously held the position for the duration of the 2022-23 season and is now set to take up the role for a second time following the departure of Richard Hughes. Hughes joined Liverpool from AFC Bournemouth in March 2024 and was tasked with leading the rebuild following the departure of manager Jürgen Klopp.

The Scot appointed both Arne Slot and his successor Andoni Iraola before leaving the club earlier this month to take up a new role at Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal. The search for his successor has been led by Fenway Sports Group (FSG) president Mike Gordon, with internal candidate Ward quickly emerging as the frontrunner.

Ward has spent the past two years working as FSG's technical director, having previously left Liverpool in 2023. During his time as the Reds' sporting director, he oversaw the signings of players such as Darwin Núñez, Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo before stepping down for personal reasons.

His association with the club dates back to 2012, when he joined from Manchester City to oversee the club's scouting network in Spain and Portugal. Over the next decade, he went on to assume a number of roles in the Reds' football operations department, including loan pathways and football partnerships manager and assistant sporting director to Michael Edwards.

His reappointment as sporting director is expected to offer some continuity for Liverpool behind the scenes at a time when the 1892 Holdings Consortium -- led by Amit Bhatia and including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos -- are in the process of buying a 38% stake in the club.

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