Liverpool tempt Julian Ward back and hire new director of football development | Football

Julian Ward has returned to Liverpool, with the former sporting director accepting the role of Fenway Sports Group’s new technical director.

Ward first arrived at Anfield in 2012 as part of their scouting department, rising through the ranks and eventually stepping up to sporting director in 2022.

However, he left the club in May last year and has spent time away from the sport.

Michael Edwards, who also returned to become FSG’s CEO of football in March, has tempted Ward back to Liverpool after he rejected a number of offers from elsewhere.

Also joining the new-look hierarchy is Pedro Marques, who has stepped down as technical director at Benfica and will become director of football development.

Both Ward and Marques will begin their new roles on 1 June, with a new sporting director arriving from Bournemouth in the shape of Richard Hughes and David Woodfine appointed as his assistant.

This new set-up will be working behind the scenes, while Arne Gadgets is set to arrive as the new manager, replacing Jurgen Klopp and leading the first team.

FSG are planning to create a multi-club model, as used by the City Football Group,with Marques brought in having worked for them already.

On his appointment in March, Edwards said: ‘One of the biggest factors in my decision is the commitment to acquire and oversee an additional club, growing this area of their organisation.

‘I believe that to remain competitive, investment and expansion of the current football portfolio is necessary.’