Former Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward is set to rejoin FSG as a major restructure continues. Ward stepped down in the summer of 2023, having succeeded Michael Edwards just a year earlier.

The 42-year-old joined Liverpool in 2012 as a scout from Manchester City and was later appointed loan pathways and partnerships manager. He was then promoted to be Edwards' assistant before taking the top job in 2022.

According to The Athletic, he has been brought back by Edwards as FSG's new technical director, and will be tasked with 'overseeing player development' within the football structure. That will include Liverpool's academy players and those out on temporary loan deals.

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His appointment is the latest made by Edwards since he rejoined FSG as CEO of Football. Richard Hughes will arrive as Liverpool's new sporting director in the summer, with the pair having worked together previously at Portsmouth. Pedro Marques is also reportedly set to arrive, alongside Ward on June 1, from Benfica as FSG's director of football development.

Ward's return is surprising, given he stepped down just a year ago to spend more time with his family. His appointment as Liverpool's sporting director in the summer of 2022 was welcomed by Jürgen Klopp as he penned a three-year deal.

He had been involved in Liverpool's signings of the likes of Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez but news of his exit broke well before the end of last season. The Times reported that his decision to step down was 'unexpected' but he told FSG that he wanted to take a break from football.

On his exit, Klopp said: "It was a surprise when Julian told me but we work completely normal together until that day when he will leave. We were completely normal together and never had a problem."

Liverpool chiefs were said to be disappointed by Ward's decision but he saw out the 2022/23 season before being replaced by Jörg Schmadtke. Ward is believed to have turned down several offers from clubs across Europe in the last year, including one from new Manchester United chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe, reports The Mirror.

It is claimed that Ward was considering an approach to become global technical director with INEOS Football Group, which was founded by Ratcliffe. But he has been convinced to return to Liverpool with the opportunity to work with Edwards again proving too much to turn down.

Liverpool.com says: Ward spent just a year as sporting director and caught Liverpool chiefs off-guard with his decision to step down. His return is therefore surprising but Edwards has been eager to make some key appointments within FSG's football department going into next season. His focus will now likely be on finalizing a deal for Arne Slot.