Liverpool's Search for New Sporting Director: Candidates Under Consideration

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

The Anfield hierarchy are understood to favour an internal solution, though. Current technical director Julian Ward is viewed as a leading contender 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 look to settle a key position at the top of their football structure.

Dykes is one of several names under consideration from outside the club. He has been a central figure in Brentford’s rise and consolidation as a Premier League side since their promotion in 2021, having joined the Bees in May 2019 and helped shape a recruitment model widely admired across the division.

Brentford sporting director Phil Giles is also highly regarded at Liverpool, but prising him away from west London is expected to be far from straightforward.

FSG have held conversations with other external options alongside Dykes as they weigh up whether to stay in-house with Ward or turn to a new face to guide Liverpool’s next phase.