Liverpool’s ownership group, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), convened with Michael Edwards in Boston on Sunday in a bid to persuade the club’s former sporting director to play a pivotal role in shaping the post-Jürgen Klopp era at Anfield.
Principal owner John W Henry and president Mike Gordon were among the high-ranking executives engaged in discussions with Edwards regarding his potential return to the club he departed in 2022. Edwards, now 44, currently serves as a consultant at the sports advisory firm Ludonautics, and FSG views him as the prime candidate to navigate Liverpool’s transition following Klopp’s imminent departure after nine immensely successful years at the helm.
However, enticing Edwards back to Liverpool would necessitate offering him a more substantial role than that of a mere sporting director. Despite rejecting numerous overtures from other clubs, including Chelsea, since leaving Liverpool, Edwards remains a coveted figure owing to his integral role in the club’s evolution under Klopp’s stewardship.
His initial refusal of FSG’s proposal in January to resume his tenure as sporting director underscores his desire for a more influential position, potentially as head of football operations, to consider rejoining the club.
Should Edwards return, he would be entrusted with spearheading the recruitment and analytics departments, as well as playing a pivotal role in appointing a new sporting director and Liverpool’s next manager, with Xabi Alonso emerging as a leading candidate to succeed Klopp.
As Liverpool’s football hierarchy takes shape in the ensuing weeks, FSG’s concerted efforts to re-engage Edwards underscore their belief in his ability to chart the course for the club’s future.
The impending departure of Klopp has altered the landscape for Liverpool’s new sporting director, shifting the focus from merely complementing an established manager to steering the club through a period of transition.
While Alonso remains a frontrunner for the managerial role, Liverpool aims to respect his commitment to Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga campaign, refraining from public overtures in contrast to Bayern Munich’s approach. Amidst deliberations, Sporting coach Rúben Amorim also emerges as a viable option for Liverpool, signaling a pivotal juncture in the club’s leadership transition.
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