The club confirmed that the process of finding Hughes’ successor is under way and that a decision will be announced in due course. According to the Athletic, the ownership‑led search is nearing its conclusion, with former director Julian Ward tipped to return for a second stint after previously holding the role during the 2022‑23 season.
Ward, who oversaw Liverpool’s recruitment during his first spell, is quoted as saying, “Marcus Rashford obviously had a good year last year at Barca, and obviously it was a bit up in the air over the summer what the outcome was going to be. He’s obviously still got twelve months left on his contract. I’ll probably see him running that contract down and maybe moving on at the end of the season. But, you know, if we’re being honest, he’s probably been one of our better players in the opening four or five games.”
The appointment comes as Liverpool continue to reshape their squad after a busy summer that saw the club sign French winger Bradley Barcola as the headline acquisition. The club’s hierarchy is also reportedly eyeing several young talents for the January window, including Tottenham’s Morgan Gibbs‑White and Lens teenager Mezian Mesloub, while real‑Madrid and Barcelona are linked with the latter.
Liverpool’s renewed focus on strategic recruitment follows a season that secured Champions League qualification and a strong finish to the 2025‑26 campaign. Re‑instating Ward is seen as a move to bring continuity to the club’s scouting and transfer operations ahead of the winter market.
While the sporting director role is the most concrete development, the broader transfer chatter remains active. Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham and others are already mapping out January targets, with names such as Eli Junior Kroupi, Endrick, Rio Ngumoha and Julian Alvarez circulating in the rumor mill.