Liverpool welcome back former sporting director in new role under Michael Edwards

Ex-Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward will return to the club as owner Fenway Sports Group's (FSG) technical director.

Liverpool are undergoing an internal restructuring as part of plans to proceed in the post-Jurgen Klopp era. Michael Edwards is now FSG's CEO of football and he has appointed Bournemouth's Richard Hughes in his former sporting director role, while Arne Slot is expected to join from Feyenoord as head coach.

Further changes are being made behind the scenes, and The Athletic report that Ward will return to Liverpool under the FSG umbrella.

Ward first joined Liverpool in 2012 as a scout, before spending five years as their loan player manager and two more as the club's technical director. After Edwards stepped down as sporting director in 2022, Ward succeeded him for a year and then resigned in order to spend more time with his family.

He is now set to take charge of FSG's player development - they have already outlined their intentions to set up a multi-club model around Liverpool - and will oversee the Reds' academy, loans, development strategies and set up 'FSG's new football innovation department'.

Ward, along with Hughes, will both directly report to Edwards and between them will be responsible for ensuring young players - from the academy or otherwise - get a chance in the first-team setup.

Meanwhile, highly-rated Benfica technical director Pedro Marques has joined FSG as their director of football development. He will report to Ward and has long been admired by Edwards, previously working for Sporting CP, Manchester City and their City Football Group ownership.

Ward and Marques will officially begin work on June 1.

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