Liverpool have reportedly reached an agreement that will see Michael Edwards make a sensational return to Anfield when Jurgen Klopp leaves at the end of the season.
The 44-year-old previously worked as the club’s sporting director to great success, signing the likes of Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker during his six-year stint in the role.
That spell came to an end two years ago when Edwards left the Reds before taking up a job as a sporting consultant at Ludonautics, a sports advisory business founded in 2023 by former Liverpool director of research Ian Graham, in 2023.
A return to Merseyside appeared to be a longshot, as Edwards had openly said he did not want to be a sporting director again, but Fenway Sports Group (FSG) have convinced him to head up football operations, according to the Guardian.
Edwards will be tasked with finding a new sporting director, with Richard Hughes said to be the frontrunner for the job. The 44-year-old will be leaving Bournemouth at the end of the season, paving the way for his move to Anfield.
Liverpool first approached Edwards in January following Klopp’s shock announcement, but he reportedly turned FSG down. However, following face-to-face talks in Boston on Monday, the two parties have ‘reached an agreement’ for him to take up ‘an overarching role’, according to The Times.
The hiring of Hughes is ‘considered a formality’. The former Scotland international oversaw the arrival of Andoni Iraola as manager and a successful transfer window last summer, which has seen the Cherries improve upon last season.
Liverpool are currently without a sporting director after Jorg Schmadtke vacated the role in January. Julian Ward had taken over from Edwards in 2022, but left the club just a year later.
Edwards spent over a decade at Liverpool, starting out as chief analyst under manager Sir Kenny Dalglish. He also held roles as Head of Methodology and Technical Director before becoming Sporting Director shortly after Klopp arrived.
