Liverpool Searches for New Sporting Director

Liverpool have begun sounding out external contenders in their hunt for a new sporting director, with Brentford technical director Lee Dykes among those to have held talks with the club.

Despite those conversations, the expectation inside Anfield leans towards an internal solution. Current technical director Julian Ward is viewed as a leading candidate to step up and replace Richard Hughes, whose move to Al-Hilal was confirmed at the start of the month.

Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon is driving the process as Liverpool reshape their football structure once again.

Dykes is one of several figures under consideration. He has been a central figure in Brentford’s rise and consolidation in the Premier League since their promotion in 2021, having joined the west London club in May 2019 and helped underpin their recruitment model.

Brentford sporting director Phil Giles is also highly regarded by Liverpool’s hierarchy, but prising him away from the Bees is expected to be far from straightforward.

FSG have held discussions with other external candidates alongside Dykes as they weigh up whether to look outward or keep the role in-house. The decision will shape how Liverpool build their next era off the pitch as much as on it.