Why did Julian Ward leave Liverpool? The former sporting director is set to return to the new FSG role

Former Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward is set to join FSG as a major restructuring continues. Ward stepped down in the summer of 2023, succeeding Michael Edwards just a year earlier.

The 42-year-old joined Liverpool in 2012 as a scout from Manchester City and was later appointed manager of loan pathways and partnerships. He was then promoted to be Edwards’ assistant before taking the top job in 2022.

According to The Athletic, he has been brought back by Edwards as FSG’s new technical director and will be tasked with “overseeing player development” within the football structure. These will include players from Liverpool’s academy and those on temporary loan.

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His appointment is Edwards’ latest since joining FSG as CEO of Football. Richard Hughes will arrive as Liverpool’s new sporting director in the summer, having previously worked together at Portsmouth. Pedro Marques will reportedly arrive alongside Ward on June 1 from Benfica as FSG’s director of football development.

Ward’s return is surprising considering he resigned just a year ago to spend more time with his family. His appointment as Liverpool’s sporting director in the summer of 2022 was welcomed by Jürgen Klopp as he penned a three-year contract.

He was involved in Liverpool signings such as Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez, but news of his exit emerged well before the end of last season. The Times reported that his decision to step down was “unexpected”, but he told FSG that he wanted to take a break from football.

On his way out, Klopp said: “It was a surprise when Julian told me, but we work completely normally together until the day he leaves. We were completely normal together and we never had a problem.”

Liverpool chiefs are said to be disappointed with Ward’s decision, but he managed the 2022/23 season before being replaced by Jörg Schmadtke. Ward is believed to have turned down several offers from clubs in Europe over the past year, including one from new Manchester United boss Sir Jim Ratcliffe, The Mirror reports.

It is claimed that Ward was considering an approach to become global technical director with the INEOS Football Group, which was founded by Ratcliffe. But he was persuaded to return to Liverpool by the opportunity to work with Edwards, again proving too much to refuse.

Liverpool.com says: Ward spent just one year as sporting director and surprised Liverpool chiefs with his decision to step down. His return therefore comes as a surprise, but Edwards has been keen to make some key appointments within FSG’s football department next season. His focus will likely be on completing a deal for Arne Slot.