MEET THE NEW BOSS
Kop wouldn’t take no for answer as they bring back deal-maker Michael who must lift Reds without Klopp to new heights
MICHAEL EDWARDS is returning to Liverpool after the Reds promised him the world.
He turned down owners Fenway Sport Group’s offer of his old sporting director role and, instead, will become their first CEO of Football.
Edwards wants FSG to add more football clubs to their portfolio, as Manchester City have done, and he will be the new global head of this operation.
Southampton-born Edwards turned down Manchester United and Chelsea to return to Liverpool and will take over football matters from FSG president Mike Gordon.
Gordon, FSG’S principal owner John W Henry and chairman Tom Werner flew Edwards over to their Boston base last week for the final round of talks.
Edwards said: “I was humbled by the desire and persistence they showed in wanting to work with me again.
“This is definitely not something that I take for granted, given their track record across sport and business.
“It was vital for me that, if I did return, it had to be with renewed vigour and energy. In practice, this means having fresh challenges and opportunities.
“As such, one of the biggest factors in my decision is the commitment to acquire and oversee an additional club, growing this area of their organisation.
“In assuming this role, I fully understand that it comes with great expectations and I therefore intend to identify, hire and subsequently empower leaders who meet and embody the club’s values and ambitions.”
Edwards, 44, had great success as sporting director after stepping up in 2016 from his role as performance director.
He presided over signings such as Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Alisson, as Liverpool won their sixth Champions League in 2019 and then ended their 30-year title wait the following season.
He left in 2022 and Liverpool turned to him in January when current manager Jurgen Klopp said he would be leaving in the summer.
Edwards is relinquishing his non-executive role at sports consultancy firm Ludonautics to return to Liverpool.
FSG feel he can lead the Reds into their post-klopp era and Gordon says his determination to return in a more-enhanced role matches their ambition.
“Michael is one of the most formidable executive talents in world football and John, Tom and I are absolutely thrilled to have secured his services for our business,” he said.
“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. In this regard – and many others – his ambitions matched ours.”