Liverpool have now confirmed what has been rumoured for some time now as Michael Edwards will lave the club, with Julian Ward replacing him.
Edwards has been with Liverpool since 2011, arriving as head of analytics. He ended up becoming director of technical performance and later technical director.
Come 2016, Edwards was promoted again, this time to sporting director as his influence at Anfield grew stronger and stronger.
Edwards has been praised for his transfer business over the years having secured the likes of Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson, Fabinho, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah.
Edwards will leave Anfield at the end of the season, and Liverpool have already confirmed that Julian Ward will take his job.
This is a huge role for Ward, and some will be wondering just who is Liverpool’s transfer maestro?
Who is Liverpool’s Julian Ward?
Ward turned out for the likes of Morecambe, Hyde, Kidsgrove Athletic, Larne and Lisburn in his playing career.
It’s only since moving into a background role that Ward has really gained traction in football.
As per Ward’s LinkedIn profile, he started becoming an analyst with The FA and Preston North End.
Ward’s big move came in 2008 as he become Head of Analysis and Technical Scouting for the Portuguese FA, before leaving for Manchester City in 2010.
Come 2012, Ward as on the move again, this time to Liverpool. He was initially a European Scouting Manager in Spain and Portugal, then Loan Pathways and Football Partnerships Manager.
Last year, Ward become assistant sporting director to Edwards, meaning he has been learning his craft for some time now.
That’s a lot of experience for a 40-year-old, but Ward started early. He seemingly knew that this is the path he wanted to go down.
Now set for the biggest job of his career, Ward has huge shoes to fill in Edwards, but he has been preparing for this moment for years and is finally ready to take the reins.
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