‘Makes a lot of sense’ – James Pearce approves of expected sporting director hire for Liverpool | OneFootball

Liverpool are currently assessing potential candidates to fill the vacant sporting director role at Anfield, and one clear favourite seems to have emerged.

Sky Sports’ Lyall Thomas reported earlier this week that Julian Ward is being ‘seriously considered’ for the job, possibly in tandem with Brentford technical director Lee Dykes.

On Tuesday evening, The Athletic‘s David Ornstein indicated that the FSG technical director is ‘expected to be appointed’ as the Reds’ sporting director following Richard Hughes’ exit to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, with the ‘ownership-led process advancing towards its conclusion’.

Pearce responds to probable Ward appointment at Liverpool

In reaction to that news from his colleague, James Pearce voiced his approval of Ward for the vacant role at Liverpool, having prevoudly held the position during the 2022/23 season after Michael Edwards’ departure.

The journalist wrote for The Athletic: ‘The appointment of Ward as Liverpool’s new sporting director makes a lot of sense. It will provide some much-needed continuity at a time of major upheaval behind the scenes following the summer departures of Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes.

‘Having already clocked up 13 years of service to Liverpool across two spells, Ward commands the respect of FSG president Mike Gordon, who is leading the search for Hughes’ successor. Gordon has resumed oversight of the club’s day-to-day operations since Edwards left in July.’

Pearce added: ‘Ward is well connected across the globe and has a wealth of experience in negotiating both transfer deals and contract renewals. He also knows exactly what the job involves having been Edwards’ assistant before succeeding him in 2022.’

Image via Blood Red: Liverpool FC on YouTube

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Ward would bring stability at a turbulent time for Liverpool

In terms of a continuity appointment at a time of significant behind-the-scenes change at Liverpool between high-profile backroom exits and the purchase of a 38% stake by 1892 Holdings, Ward would represent a safe pair of hands for the sporting director role at Anfield.

In his previous stint in the job, he oversaw the signings of Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez, in addition to staying beyond his official departure date to finalise a deal for Alexis Mac Allister in June 2023. As assistant to Edwards, he was also heavily involved in the recruitment of Luis Diaz in early 2022.

All four of those played key roles in the Reds’ Premier League title triumph under Arne Slot in 2024/25, with the Dutch forward and Argentine midfielder still at the club and enjoying a strong start to this season.

From Ornstein’s update, it would seem as though Liverpool are close to finalising an appointment for the sporting director vacancy, and it’s now apparent that Ward is the primary candidate for the position.

Hopefully the hiring process will run smoothly and the Reds will have their preferred successor in place sooner rather than later so that the new hire can quickly get to work on resolving some pressing contract situations within the squad and laying the foundations for transfer activity in 2027.