Kevin Campbell says ‘it doesn’t look good’ that sporting director Julian Ward will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, as he told Stadium Astro.
The Arsenal legend added that Ward perhaps sees something inside Liverpool that he ‘doesn’t like’ and he doesn’t want to be a ‘fall guy’, hence his surprise exit, which was announced back in November.
Many were taken aback when Ward, who replaced Michael Edwards as the brains behind transfers, decided that he will resign after a year, with Jamie Carragher himself being in ‘shock’.
Whatever the reason for Ward’s exit, it’s not helpful because it is sudden and now another person has to be found to fill a very important and game-changing role for the club.
For Ward himself, given that he already operated in various other roles at the club, it was easier for him to transition.
It will be interesting to see what the Reds do beyond this summer because this is a massive job, with Campbell sharing that Ward’s departure doesn’t sit right with him.
“It doesn’t bode well that, I tell you, it doesn’t look good,” said Campbell. “Normally, the new guy comes in, he is full of life and he’s full of enthusiasm for the job.
“But maybe he has seen something on the inside that he doesn’t quite like and he is saying ‘I am not going to be the fall guy for this’.
“Let’s be honest, the ownership, they are happy to sell the club. They feel they have taken it as far as they can because they don’t have mega-deep pockets like some of the other ownerships in the Premier League.
“Now, Newcastle United have Saudi owners, they have the opportunity to set the bar to a different level completely. Maybe he has spotted something on the inside that he doesn’t want to be the fall guy for and he has said ‘I am out of here’, so very, very difficult time for Liverpool on and off the pitch.”
LEAVING WITH A BANG?
Michael Edwards spent several years in the role and he was credited for many of the great deals Liverpool got over the line.
Now, Ward isn’t going to be in the job long enough to get that type of credit, but can he leave with a bang and deliver the deal of all deals for the club?
That, of course, relates to the midfield area and wanting to sign the top target Jude Bellingham.
If Ward somehow gets the England and Dortmund star in Liverpool colours, then it could be argued that it’s better than any deal Edwards ever got over the line.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
