Who is Julian Ward? Liverpool’s assistant sporting director who will replace Michael Edwards profiled

Michael Edwards will leave Liverpool at the end of the season.

Edwards has become a cult figure among Kopites since becoming sporting director in 2015 despite staying out of the public eye.

He’s brokered deals for the signings of Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah among many others which have helped deliver both the Champions League and Premier League titles.

Edwards has also netted impressive transfer fees for sales of players such as Phillippe Coutinho and Dominic Solanke.

But Edwards will allow his contract to expire at the end of the campaign, having worked at the Reds since 2011.

Jurgen Klopp and owners Fenway Sports Group will certainly require suitable replacement - someone who can step into Edwards’ shoes and continue the good work.

It’s been confirmed that Julian Ward, who is currently Edwards’ assistant, will become his current boss’ successor.

But who exactly is he? We take a look.

What’s been said

Speaking about Ward in October last year while he was loan pathways and football partnerships manager, Klopp lauded the work he had carried out.

Ward had played a key role in the sale of Rhian Brewster to Sheffield United for £23.5 million after impressing on loan at Swansea City the previous season.

The deal included a buy-back option.

Klopp said: “Now it’s obviously very, very important, a really, very important role. We work really closely together.

“So if you have to go on loan, the best thing that can happen is that you have a contract with Liverpool, because then Jules is looking after you, let me say it like this.

“He travels a lot – or he used to travel a lot, when travelling was allowed – and they are really in constant contact.

“I’m pretty sure if you asked the players themselves, they would say the same. So that’s really, on a personal basis, really good.

“On a professional basis, we try to make sure, before we give a player on loan, as much as we can just to find the right club; that’s very, very important.

Playing days

Ward spent his playing career in non-league football and Northern Ireland. He was a midfielder who started out at Morecambe in 2003 before joining Hyde a year later.

He then moved to Kidsgrove Athletic before crossing the Irish Sea to join Larne in 2007. He then ended his career at Lisburn the following year.

Early career

Ward became a performance analyst for the FA in January 2001 before moving to become a football consultant at Prozone 18 months later.

He then took up the job as sports scholarship manager at Liverpool John Moores University in September 2003.

After hanging up his boots, Ward landed the role of head of analysis and technical scouting with the Portuguese Football Federation under former Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz. He worked with players such as Cristiano Ronaldo.

Move to City

It was in November 2010 when Ward made the switch to Manchester City. He became their South American scouting strategist and was at the Etihad for their FA Cup triumph that season before Roberto Mancini’s side won their maiden Premier League title in the 2011-12 campaign.

Poached by Liverpool

It was in October 2012 when Ward was poached by Liverpool. He originally joined the Reds as European scouting manager for Spain and Portugal regions.

In that role, the Reds signed the likes of Lazar Markovic (Benfica), Alberto Moreno (Sevilla) and Tiago Illori (Sporting Lisbon).

But in October 2015, Ward was given the new remit of loan pathways and football partnerships manager.

He was responsible for working with Liverpool’s coaching staff and sporting director to ensure a good network was in place to get youngsters and fringe players out if they required more first-team minutes.

Players such as Daniel Sturridge (West Brom), Mamadou Sakho (Crystal Palace), Divock Origi (Wolfsburg) and Harry Wilson (Hull, Derby, Bournemouth and Cardiff) all left Merseyside on a temporary basis under his watch.

Another promotion

Ward’s hard work was rewarded with a promotion to his current position of assistant sporting director in December 2020.

He’d impressed Edwards and Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon duly to be granted the extra responsibilities.

In his role, Ward provides a link to a variety of different departments at Anfield, while assisting Edwards in terms of incomings, outgoings and contract negotiations.

Why could he be Edwards’ successor?

According to The Athletic, Ward already helped Edwards broker a number of transfers and contract renewals at academy level prior to his promotion.

Given how crucial Edwards is in the hierarchy, Liverpool will need a seamless handover if he is to depart. There’s little room for a transition period.

What’s more, the Reds also have a history of promotion from within.

The latest example was when David Woodfin, who was head of football projects and scouting operations, took over Ward’s previous role.