Michael Edwards returns to Liverpool to lead post-Jurgen Klopp era as FSG owners declare
Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group have confirmed the appointment of Michael Edwards as their new chief football officer.
Edwards He will take up a senior role at the US-based company that will allow him to oversee the operation of the Merseyside giants and lead the post-Jurgen Klopp era at Anfield.
Edwards will be responsible for recruiting the Reds' new director of football, expected to be outgoing Bournemouth manager Richard Hughes.
Edwards and Hughes will then be tasked with naming Klopp's replacement and Xabi Alonso remains the firm favorite for that role.
But he will also have wider responsibilities, including identifying, purchasing and managing another football club as FSG looks to build its portfolio in football.
Edwards, 44, played a pivotal role in building the team that brought Liverpool the Premier League title in 2020 and the Champions League crown the year before.
He was responsible for bringing players such as Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah to the club.
Edwards initially joined Liverpool in 2011, but left the club in 2022.
He was replaced by Julian Ward, who was succeeded by Jorg Schmadtke.
However, Schmadtke announced last month that he would step down from his position.
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Klopp is also heading for the exit at the end of the season, meaning there will be big changes behind the scenes at Liverpool in the coming months.
In a statement, Liverpool owners FSG said: “Fenways Sports Group has today announced that Michael Edwards will join the organization as chief football officer.
“The 44-year-old executive will take on a wide range of responsibilities, including leading efforts to identify and recruit new leaders for Liverpool FC's football operations and supporting FSG's growth in global football through additional investments and acquisitions.
“In this role, Edwards will report directly to the FSG ownership group, led by principal owner John W Henry, chairman Tim Werner and president Mike Gordon.”
Edwards initially rejected the offer to return to Liverpool in January following the public announcement of Klopp's departure, but accepted after recent face-to-face talks with FSG bosses in Boston.
He added of his return to the Reds and his new role with his American bosses: “I am very grateful to Mike, John, Tom and the ownership group for offering me the opportunity to take on this new leadership role within FSG.
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“I was humbled by the desire and perseverance they showed in wanting to work with me again. This is definitely not something I take for granted given their track record in sports and business.
“It was vital to me that if I returned, it would be with renewed vigor and energy. In practice, this means having new challenges and opportunities. As such, one of the most important factors in my decision is the commitment to acquire and oversee an additional club, growing this area of your organization. I believe that to remain competitive, investment and expansion of the current football portfolio is necessary.
“With Liverpool, I will oversee the necessary strengthening of football operations as a number of essential leadership positions need urgent attention. I know from personal experience what a wonderful job Mike Gordon has done with daily supervision on behalf of his fellow owners.
“In the future, I look forward to working with the FSG Board of Directors. Furthermore, in assuming this role, I fully understand that it comes with high expectations and, therefore, I intend to identify, hire and subsequently empower leaders who meet and embody the values and ambitions of the club”.
“Having previously worked at the club, I don't need to be reminded how much emotional investment fans make in the city itself, as well as across the UK and the world. I really want to start”.
