Liverpool are on the hunt for their fifth sporting director since 2022.
Richard Hughes’ exit was confirmed last weekend as the Scotsman joined Al Hilal, taking scouting chief Craig McKee and technical scout Mark Burchill with him.
The club is undergoing sweeping changes. Andoni Iraola replaced Arne Slot in June, and Michael Edwards stepped down as FSG’s football CEO after growing frustrated with the group’s reluctance to adopt a multi‑club model.
FSG also agreed to sell a 38 % stake to a consortium led by British‑Indian businessman Amit Bhatia. Pending approval, Bhatia will become vice‑chairman, while investors Jeff Bezos and Eduardo Saverin could boost their holding within a year.
Since Edwards left in July, FSG president Mike Gordon has taken charge of daily operations and is spearheading the search for Hughes’ successor, weighing both internal and external names.
Failing to secure a long‑term hire, Gordon installed Jorg Schmadtke on an interim basis in May 2023. Hughes was later poached by Edwards in March 2024.
“It wasn’t a surprise when the news broke last weekend,” Iraola told reporters ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid at Anfield.
“Richard and Michael performed admirably. They knew exactly what was required. I wish Richard the best in his next adventure.”
“We’re still collaborating with the decision‑makers from this summer,” he added, noting his ongoing dialogue with Mike Gordon about the club’s needs.
“The next steps will define our direction. Many involved remain here daily, and I’ll keep talking to them.”
Gordon’s shortlist features several strong internal candidates.
Julian Ward
In my view, FSG’s technical director Julian Ward stands out as the most compelling option for continuity.
Ward’s reputation grew after he leveraged the loan market to boost values of players like Ryan Kent, Rhian Brewster, Marko Grujic and Harry Wilson, all of whom fetched sizable fees.
When Edwards departed in 2022, he praised Ward as his natural successor, writing that promoting from within preserves the expertise and institutional memory that define the Liverpool Way.
As sporting director, Ward secured signings such as Luis Diaz, Darwin Núñez and Cody Gakpo, and helped resolve Mohamed Salah’s protracted contract saga.
He left the role after the 2022‑23 season, informing FSG of his intent shortly after Gordon stepped back and the owners put the club up for sale, a time when Klopp’s influence over transfers was expanding.
Ward stayed on through summer 2023 to finalize Alexis Mac Allister’s move from Brighton, then departed on good terms, rejecting Ajax’s offer to take a break and focus on his young family.
In May 2024, Edwards lured Ward back as FSG technical director, tasking him with overseeing player development pathways and the academy, while his network proved valuable in transfer talks.
Initially, Ward was to manage football operations at a new FSG‑owned club, but after reviewing over 25 European prospects, the board declined every proposal; he has since devoted much effort to the £20 million Kirkby academy redevelopment.
Because both Hughes and Ward reported directly to Edwards, moving from FSG technical director to Liverpool sporting director would be more a lateral shift than a promotion.
Yet the role under head coach Iraola will differ from Ward’s 2022‑23 stint, and his close rapport with Gordon adds weight to his candidacy.
Pedro Marques
Marques left his post as Benfica’s technical director after accepting FSG’s director of football development role in May 2024.
Edwards described him as a leading expert in player development, career pathways, coaching methods and performance analysis; fluent in several languages and UEFA A‑licensed, Marques fit FSG’s multi‑club ambitions, having previously worked with City Football Group.
At Benfica, he oversaw youth development and the transition of talents such as Ruben Dias, João Félix, Gonçalo Ramos, António Silva and João Neves into the senior squad.
Reporting to Ward, Marques has operated from FSG’s Altrincham office, about 30 miles east of Liverpool, for two years; had the Getafe acquisition proceeded, he likely would have become its sporting director.
A move to Liverpool would be a major step up, but his reputation for global talent spotting and building player pathways makes him a valued asset.
David Woodfine
When Woodfine escorted Iraola around the Kirkby training complex in June, speculation surged that he might be slated to replace Hughes.
In reality, Edwards and Hughes were also present, and Woodfine was simply showing the new coach the facilities; still, his two‑year tenure as Hughes’ right‑hand man keeps him in the conversation.
Like Ward, Woodfine returned to the club at Edwards’ invitation to shape the post‑Klopp era in 2024, having previously served as a performance analyst at Portsmouth from 2005‑2010, where Hughes was also a player.
As assistant sporting director, Woodfine eased Hughes’ workload, covering coaching, recruitment, medical, sports science and Kirkby’s administrative and facilities management.