Michael Edwards has agreed to take a senior role with Fenway Sports Group, which includes the former Liverpool executive taking oversight of the club’s football operations.
The Athletic reported Edwards was close to agreeing a senior role with FSG, and this was expected to see Richard Hughes fill the vacant the sporting director position after his exit as Bournemouth technical director was confirmed this month.
Liverpool are in the midst of a huge transistion following manager Jurgen Klopp’s decision to step aside this summer, with his closest staff also scheduled to leave and sporting director Jorg Schmadtke already having departed.
FSG targeted Edwards to spearhead the restructure — floating the idea of him occupying a top job at Liverpool or inside the ownership group — but he initially turned down the opportunity.
However, the US group continued its pursuit and Edwards now joins in a far broader capacity that encompasses Liverpool, rather than specifically returning to Anfield.
Edwards will help lead the post-Jurgen Klopp era (John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The appointment of Hughes has always depended on FSG securing Edwards and, having served notice to the south coast team some time ago, the ex-Scotland international has held discussions with multiple suitors since the January transfer window closed.
Edwards is known to regard Hughes among the industry’s leading operators and his move to install Andoni Iraola as Bournemouth head coach last June underlined his credentials.
Edwards was at Liverpool for more than 10 years before his departure in 2022 and was credited with playing a major role in the success that saw them win the Premier League and Champions League.
He had helped assemble Liverpool’s 2019-20 Premier League title-winning team. He identified Klopp to replace Brendan Rodgers in 2015 and helped bring in signings such as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Alisson and Virgil van Dijk.
Edwards took a year-long break post-Liverpool but returned to football in 2023 by launching Ludonautics, an advisory service, alongside the club’s ex-director of research Ian Graham. It is unclear what Edwards arriving would mean for his commitments to Ludonautics.
GO DEEPER
Michael Edwards — the visionary behind Liverpool’s remarkable rise
(John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
