Liverpool near deal for sporting director Michael Edwards - Ornstein

Jacque Talbot

• 8 Mar 2024 19:55 GMT
• 3 min read

Liverpool are closer to a deal for Michael Edwards than ever before, reports David Ornstein.

The Athletic reporter has broke the news the Reds have been in talks with their former executive over a return. It’s thought that FSG want to bring in the sporting director back to Anfield.

If Edwards was to return, it's suggested that it would be to work alongside a technical director.

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This time around, he would reportedly have greater control at Liverpool - helping forge the new era after Jurgen Klopp's departure, which is set to happen in the summer. Edwards had rejected FSG's attempts to bring him back to Merseyside before - but now it appears things are moving in the right direction.

Ornstein reports that Liverpool are nearing a deal for Edwards and Bournemouth's Richard Hughes.

Who is Michael Edwards?

During his time at the club until 2022, he was responsible for every Liverpool signing since 2016.

Looking at the world-class stars Liverpool now have in their squad, it is easy to see why the Reds are so desperate to bring Edwards back to the club.

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The Times reported in February 2024 that Liverpool’s owner, Fenway Sports Group, are making one final attempt to persuade is set to persuade their former sporting director to return.

Edwards would "seek total control of football operations at Liverpool in order to consider coming back to Anfield less than two years after his departure."

Both Chelsea and Manchester United are also big fans of Edwards.

What was Edwards' role at Liverpool?

Edwards performed the role of sporting director at Liverpool. He was appointed back in 2016, becoming the first person to fill the newly-created role at the club. With the future of football heading in a new direction, sporting directors were becoming more and more common across Europe, hence why Edwards was handed the job.

He joined the club in 2011, initially as head of analytics before being promoted to director of technical performance and then technical director.

His role at the club was to oversee all footballing development, including player identification, acquisitions, player sales and retention, as well as taking primary responsibility for improvements to the club's infrastructure.