March 13 – Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group have appointed ex-sporting director Michael Edwards as the company’s chief executive of football.
Edwards initially turned down an approach by FSG to bring him back after Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp announced he would be stepping down at the end of the season, but his mind has been changed following detailed discussions about his role early this month. He will return to the club as soon as the Summer transfer window opens on June 1.
As well as overseeing the football operations post-Klopp, Edwards will also have a major role in identifying and managing an as yet unnamed second club for the Liverpool ownership group.
“Michael is one of the most formidable executive talents in world football,” said FSG president Mike Gordon.
“He returns to us in a role with greater seniority than he held previously and with a wider remit.
“It was clear when we initially reached out to him that a broader scope would be a key motivating factor for any potential return to the industry. In this regard – and many others – his ambitions matched ours.”
Gordon added Edwards “will take over responsibilities I have previously held regarding oversight and management of Liverpool FC’s football operation”.
Edwards was a important figure behind the scenes at Liverpool in the 2016 to 2022 seasons, but is understood to have become disenchanted with his role in 2022 when he felt he was being excluded from key decisions on players.
During his last stint at the club, Edwards helped to bring future stars Mohamed Salah, Alisson and Virgil Van Dijk to Merseyside.
“One of the biggest factors in my decision is the commitment to acquire and oversee an additional club, growing this area of their organisation,” said Edwards.
“I believe that to remain competitive, investment and expansion of the current football portfolio is necessary.”
“Having served the club previously, I need no reminder of how much emotional investment is made by supporters in the city itself, as well as across the UK and the world.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1732298457labto1732298457ofdlr1732298457owedi1732298457sni@g1732298457niwe.1732298457yrrah1732298457