{
  "id": 9949604,
  "title": "Ward appointed Liverpool's sporting director",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/ward-appointed-liverpools-sporting-director-9949604",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-26T09:08:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/ward-appointed-liverpools-sporting-director-090822804.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Liverpool has appointed Julian Ward as the club's new sporting director, replacing Richard Hughes who left the role in September. This marks Ward's second tenure in the position at Anfield, having first held the job from 2022 to 2024. Ward, 45, expressed his excitement to take on the role again. Previously, he joined Liverpool in 2012 as European scouting manager for Spain and Portugal, later becoming assistant sporting director in 2020. He was brought back by Fenway Sports Group (FSG) as technical director in 2024, overseeing player development and the academy. FSG president Mike Gordon praised Ward's extensive experience in the football industry and Liverpool FC specifically. The appointment signals a move towards stability for the club following a period of transition. Ward's previous sporting director stint, under Jurgen Klopp, saw significant signings such as Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister, and Darwin Nunez. His relationship with agent Jorge Mendes also played a crucial role in securing Mohamed Salah's contract renewal and the pursuit of Diogo Jota. Ward is now set to tackle various tasks, including securing long-term deals for new talent like Rio Ngumoha and determining new contracts for Alisson and Virgil van Dijk before their current agreements expire.",
  "summary": "Julian Ward becomes Liverpool's sporting director for the second time following the departure of Richard Hughes.",
  "key_points": [
    "Julian Ward appointed as Liverpool's sporting director.",
    "Replaces Richard Hughes, who left in September.",
    "Ward previously held the role from 2022 to 2024."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Julian Ward must sanction surprise Liverpool transfer for 'world-class' star",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/julian-ward-must-sanction-surprise-liverpool-transfer-for-world-class",
        "published": "2026-09-26T06:05:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Ward appointed Liverpool's sporting director",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/ward-appointed-liverpools-sporting-director",
        "published": "2026-09-26T09:08:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Ward appointed Liverpool’s sporting director",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/ward-appointed-liverpools-sporting-director-9965640",
        "published": "2026-09-26T11:00:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}