STATUS: OFFICIAL — SPORTING LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENT
Liverpool have brought Julian Ward back as sporting director, ending the search for Richard Hughes' successor. The appointment was confirmed in reports published on September 26, 2026.
Ward knows the club's structure closely. He joined Liverpool's recruitment and scouting department in 2012, rose to assistant sporting director and took the senior role after the 2021–22 season. He later left before returning to the Fenway Sports Group structure as technical director.
Richard Hughes departed at the start of September after two years in the job. During his tenure, Liverpool won the 2024–25 Premier League title and completed several major transfer operations.
WHAT IS CONFIRMED
Ward has returned as Liverpool's sporting director and takes responsibility for the department following Hughes' departure. This is a football executive appointment, not a player transfer.
WHAT HAS NOT BEEN DISCLOSED
The financial terms and length of Ward's agreement were not made public in the initial reports.
SOURCE: Sky Sports, September 26, 2026 — https://www.skysports.com/football/live-blog/13025501/liverpool-transfer-news-rumours-and-gossip-live-updates-and-latest-on-deals-signings-loans-and-contracts · The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/football
