Richard Hughes left his role as Liverpool's sporting director last week after deciding to take on the same position at Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal.
The Scotsman had been driving the Reds' recruitment since the summer of 2024, when he arrived from Bournemouth. Some question whether he has been a success, as although he helped Arne Slot win the title in his first season in charge, a record-breaking summer transfer window followed, and it didn't pay off.
Liverpool finished fourth last season despite spending £116m on Florian Wirtz and £125m on Alexander Isak. They broke their transfer record twice in the same summer, but those weren't the only questionable decisions he made during his tenure.
The question now is who will replace Hughes as the club's new and permanent sporting director. There are five names that could be of interest to Fenway Sports Group and new minority shareholder Jeff Bezos.
Julian Ward
Julian Ward looks to be the frontrunner to take on the role as David Ornstein of The Athletic reports that he "stands a really good chance." He currently serves as technical director for FSG and worked closely with former sporting director Michael Edwards.
The Englishman oversaw some of Liverpool's most important signings over the years. His connections to Portugal and Europe helped the Merseyside outfit land Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and Alexis Mac Allister.
Ward is one of three internal options the Reds are thought to be considering for the position. Assistant sporting director David Woofine and director of football development Pedro Marques are also in the mix.
Piero Ausilio
Piero Ausilio would be an intriguing appointment and one that could prove hugely successful for Liverpool. After 28 years as Inter Milan's sporting director, he left the San Siro just a week ago amid disagreements over a new contract.
The Italian spent much of his time with the Serie A giants, dealing with financial difficulties, and still ensured Inter remained competitive. His shrewd signings of Piotr Zielinski, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are worth highlighting.
Edu Gaspar
Probably the most controversial candidate on this list is Edu Gaspar, who just got the sack at Nottingham Forest. He had been put in charge as Global Head of Football but a falling out with former manager Nuno Espirito Santo and failures in the transfer market saw him dismissed.
While Edu might not be the most popular individual in Premier League football, you can't ignore his role in Arsenal's rise over the years. He worked closely with Mikel Arteta, building a squad that is now the best team in England.
Dan Ashworth
On paper, Dan Ashworth is the perfect fit for Liverpool's current project, as he was the one who brought Isak to the Premier League while at Newcastle. He endured a nightmare stint at Manchester United, which did not align with INEOS' vision, and, as a result, decided to walk away.
Ashworth has since become Chief Football Officer for the English FA but the lure of driving the Reds' recruitment could be enticing. Isak isn't the only impressive signing he made while working in the top flight; his list includes the likes of Moises Caicedo, Kaoru Mitoma, and even Mac Allister while back at Brighton.
Jason Ayto
Speaking of Brighton, Jason Ayto is a name most fans won't be familiar with but he had been set to run recruitment at the Amex. He took on the Seagulls' sporting director role in September 2025 but only lasted nine months.
Ayto didn't quite get to grips with owner Tony Bloom's data-driven strategies on the south coast. But he remains one of the most highly-rated directors in English football, and Arteta attributes much of Arsenal's rebuild during his reign to the now-available Englishman.
