Ex-Liverpool director now in running for Man United role under Ineos

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Former Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward is in the running for a role at Manchester United, according to reports.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe finally confirmed that his 25 per cent acquisition of Manchester United from the Glazer family had been agreed with just the Premier League’s checks left before it is official.

This regulatory check, which may well last four to six weeks, will surely see some moves done in the background to form United’s team off the pitch.

With Richard Arnold gone, Jean-Claude Blanc and Sir Dave Brailsford will come in to replace him but a sporting director will still be needed if John Murtough loses his job.

Ward a target

According to a report from The Telegraph, Julian Ward has been discussed along with a number of other experienced directors of football, headed by Newcastle United’s Dan Ashworth, as the Ineos team looks to rebuild the club’s footballing department.

Ashworth looked to be the man who was coming in at Old Trafford but he is not the only contender in the running.

Ward spent 11 years at Liverpool, latterly as the club’s sporting director but decided to step down only months after succeeding Michael Edwards, who has also been fleetingly linked with a role at Old Trafford.

According to the report, Ward has been highly rated within footballing circles and has already turned down the offer of the sporting director role at Dutch side Ajax.

It is unclear whether Ward would take up a role at United following his very successful time at the Red Devils’ biggest rivals Liverpool but it seems Ratcliffe and his Ineos team are indeed interested.

A lot of work to do for Ratcliffe

It’s fair to say that the 71-year-old petrochemical billionaire will have a lot of work to do once he gets his foot in the door at Old Trafford.

A revamped team on the footballing side should be the biggest priority for Ratcliffe and his team. Murtough has simply not done well enough during his two-and-a-half years as the club’s first director of football and an experienced head is needed for such an important role.

Ward, as mentioned, took over from Edwards and received praise for how he steadied the ship at the club. Goal reported at the end of 2022 that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was one of the men who tried desperately to keep the 42-year-old.

He could be an exciting appointment at Old Trafford.