Julian Ward Emerging as Liverpool's Next Sporting Director, Reports Say
The short version
- Julian Ward is the favorite to be named Liverpool's sporting director, per David Ornstein of The Athletic
- Ward previously held the role in 2022 after Michael Edwards' first exit, overseeing deals for Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, and Cody Gakpo
- He left that role after one season amid reports of difficulties working with Jürgen Klopp
- Ward returned two years ago as technical director alongside Edwards, with Richard Hughes as sporting director
- Brentford's Lee Dykes and Frankfurt's Markus Krösche were considered as alternatives
Liverpool are reportedly closing in on Julian Ward to fill their vacant sporting director position, according to The Athletic's David Ornstein.
Julian Ward is in line to become Liverpool's sporting director again, according to a report from David Ornstein of The Athletic. Fenway Sports Group considered several candidates before settling on an internal option, though Ornstein notes no final decision has officially been made.
Ward first held the role in 2022, stepping up after two seasons as Michael Edwards' assistant sporting director. During that stint he was involved in bringing in Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, and Cody Gakpo, but he departed at the end of the campaign amid widespread reporting of friction with then-manager Jürgen Klopp.
He later came back to Liverpool in a technical director capacity, working alongside Edwards for the past two years while Richard Hughes served as sporting director. With both Edwards and Hughes now gone from the club, Ward has become the clear frontrunner to step into the vacancy for at least this season.
Brentford's Lee Dykes and Eintracht Frankfurt's Markus Krösche were among the other names Liverpool looked at during their search, per the report.
Written by the Matchday Live desk from reporting by Yahoo Sports.
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