Liverpool fans are well aware that Julian Ward, the club’s Director of Football, is leaving at the end of the season.
According to the Guardian, the 41-year-old has told Liverpool that he intends to take a break from football once he departs, and has no intention of starting a new role in the near future.
With that in mind, a fresh story emerging from Dutch football should now concern Liverpool fans.
Well, according to De Telegraaf, Ward is now a leading contender to become the new Director of Football at Ajax.
If that move does end up materialising, it would suggest Ward has misled Liverpool.
It was also provide more cause for concern among Liverpool fans who are already stressed about the state of their beloved Reds, with other staff members deciding to leave.
Ian Graham has also resigned from his role as Head of Research at Anfield, while Jack Ade – Head of Elite Fitness and Development – quit to join Rangers.
As detailed by The Athletic, Fenway Sports Group have also decided to put Liverpool up for sale – the word uncertainty doesn’t do the situation justice.
There has been a worrying exodus among Jürgen Klopp’s staff, and if Ward does end up leaving for Ajax just months after taking over from Michael Edwards, it would suggest something is going wrong behind the scenes.
Liverpool have a few options to replace Ward as Director of Football.
One of those, according to Sky Germany, is Sven Mislintat – a man known as “diamond eye” in football having unearthed plenty of gems.
🥇| It has been said that Julian Ward and Ian Graham, who have opted to leave Liverpool, “no longer feel empowered to do their jobs to the best of their ability.” [@MelissaReddy_]
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) February 3, 2023
The German worked with Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, where he found the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Ilkay Gundogan, Shinji Kagawa and Mats Hummels for bargain fees.
Paul Mitchell – Director of Football at Monaco – has also been linked with the upcoming vacancy as Liverpool look to find someone as effective in the market as Edwards was.
Be sure to keep an eye on the situation involving Ward, as questions will surely be asked if he leaves for Ajax.
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