Julian Ward returns as Liverpool’s sporting director, bringing a dose of stability after a chaotic summer.
Having previously held the role, Ward has been with the club almost continuously since 2012, aside from a brief hiatus between the 2023 and 2024 off‑seasons.
The Reds explored outside candidates, yet Ward emerged as the clear favourite.
Sources describe him as calm, articulate and driven by a strong vision.
His earlier stint under Klopp saw the arrivals of Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister and Darwin Núñez, showcasing his global network and negotiating skill.
Ward also played a key role in Salah’s 2022 contract renewal, even jetting to the striker’s holiday to close the deal, and leveraged his link with agent Jorge Mendes to pursue Diogo Jota.
Now he must lock down 18‑year‑old Rio Ngumoha on a long‑term deal and decide on new terms for Alisson and Virgil van Dijk before their current contracts lapse this summer.
As former technical director at FSG, he helped push Liverpool toward younger talent and enjoys a solid rapport with Mike Gordon, who runs day‑to‑day operations.
Ward exited a three‑year contract a year early under Klopp, but the new coaching structure under Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola should grant him greater influence.
Time will reveal whether his appointment pays off; for my money, he’s the most sensible choice to restore continuity.