Julian Ward, a former sporting director at Liverpool, is poised to make a surprising comeback to the club as the technical director under the ownership of Fenway Sports Group, marking his return just 18 months after departing the Anfield club. Additionally, Pedro Marques from Benfica is also set to join Liverpool as the director of football development.
These new appointments are part of a substantial reshuffle at Liverpool, following a series of departures, including the noticeable exit of Jurgen Klopp. Former director of football Michael Edwards has been reinstated as the CEO of Football at FSG, while Richard Hughes from Bournemouth is taking on the role of sporting director.
Ward, who previously served at Liverpool for a decade, will be rejoining the club where he initially focused on scouting in Portugal and Spain. During his tenure as the sporting director, he played a pivotal role in signing players such as Fabio Carvalho from Fulham and was influential in convincing Mohamed Salah to extend his contract with the club.
Marques, on the other hand, brings with him experience from his time at the English champions, where he was involved in the City Football Group’s multi-club model expansion. His influence was particularly evident during the negotiations that led to Liverpool signing Darwin Nunez from Benfica.
The impending appointments of Ward and Marques are integral to the club’s strategy to venture into the multi-club market in the near future, and their knowledge and connections in the football world are expected to be valuable assets for Liverpool.
The restructuring at Anfield also encompasses the arrival of David Moyes at West Ham, which has been lauded as a football success story. As the changes continue to unfold, it will be intriguing to observe how the new executive team, coupled with the imminent confirmation of Arne Slot as head coach, will shape the future of Liverpool Football Club.
In conclusion, the return of Julian Ward and the addition of Pedro Marques to Liverpool’s executive team signify a significant development for the club and its owner, Fenway Sports Group. With a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective, the new appointments are poised to play a crucial role in Liverpool’s future endeavours.