Ward, who was Liverpool's sporting director for one season in 2022-23, has returned to the role after spending the past two years as technical director for Fenway Sports Group, the club's owners. The swift process of finding a successor to Hughes, who left for the Saudi Pro League after two and a half years at Anfield when the summer transfer window ended, was led by the FSG president, Mike Gordon. Ward has worked in various capacities for Liverpool over the past 14 years, including European scouting manager, assistant sporting director and sporting director. His appointment offers continuity at a time of upheaval in the Liverpool hierarchy with Hughes and Michael Edwards, the former chief executive of football at FSG, exiting this year and the owners in the process of selling a 38% stake in the club to 1892 Holdings for £2bn.