{
  "id": 9949682,
  "title": "Ward appointed Liverpool's sporting director",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/ward-appointed-liverpools-sporting-director-9949682",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-26T09:08:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Sport Football",
    "slug": "bbc-sport-football",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c3x2zkvkez48o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Liverpool has appointed Julian Ward as the club's new sporting director, replacing Richard Hughes who held the role for less than two years before leaving in September. This marks Ward's second time in the position, having previously served from 2022 to 2024. Ward expressed his excitement about the opportunity. He has been with Liverpool since 2012, initially as European scouting manager for Spain and Portugal, then promoted to assistant sporting director in 2020. The club's president, Mike Gordon, stated that Ward's extensive experience in the football industry and at Liverpool makes him the ideal candidate for this role. Ward's previous stint as sporting director under Jurgen Klopp saw him secure key signings and influence contract negotiations. He will now play a crucial role in the club's player development and football operations, particularly as it relates to younger talent.",
  "summary": "Julian Ward becomes Liverpool's sporting director for the second time following the departure of Richard Hughes.",
  "key_points": [],
  "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."
}