Michael Edwards leaves FSG role as Liverpool prepare for another leadership change | OneFootball

Michael Edwards has stepped down as Fenway Sports Group’s CEO of Football, bringing an end to a second spell overseeing Liverpool’s football operations.

Edwards has already completed his notice period despite having a year remaining on the three-year contract he signed when he returned to FSG in March 2024.

The highly regarded football executive informed FSG’s hierarchy of his decision last autumn, with president Mike Gordon expected to resume direct oversight of the group’s football operations rather than appointing an immediate replacement.

Edwards returned to Liverpool shortly before the end of Jurgen Klopp’s reign after being persuaded to take on the newly-created CEO of Football role.

A key part of those discussions centred on FSG’s ambition to build a multi-club model similar to those operated by City Football Group and Red Bull.

However, despite an extensive search across Europe, no suitable acquisition was approved by FSG’s board.

Liverpool’s owners explored opportunities involving clubs in Spain, Portugal and France, with Bordeaux, Malaga and Getafe among those linked with the group’s expansion plans, but none of the proposals ultimately progressed.

Reports earlier this year suggested the project had effectively been shelved, leaving Edwards frustrated that one of the main reasons behind his return had failed to materialise.

Edwards originally joined Liverpool in 2011 as head of performance analysis before rising through the club’s recruitment structure.

He became sporting director in 2016 and played a pivotal role in assembling one of the most successful squads in Liverpool’s modern history.

Working closely with Klopp, he oversaw the recruitment of players including Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, Mohamed Salah, Fabinho and Andy Robertson.

Those appointments helped Liverpool win the Champions League in 2019 before ending their 30-year wait for a league title by lifting the Premier League trophy the following season.

Edwards initially stepped away from Liverpool in 2022 before rejecting several offers from leading European clubs and instead launching sports analytics consultancy Ludonautics alongside former Liverpool director of research Ian Graham.

His return two years later also saw him appoint Richard Hughes as Liverpool’s sporting director and bring Julian Ward back to FSG as technical director.

That leadership structure now appears set for further change, with Hughes also widely expected to leave after this summer’s transfer window.

Edwards’ departure comes at an important moment for Liverpool as the club enters a new era under head coach Adoni Iraola.

While FSG remain committed to supporting Liverpool’s long-term ambitions, another reshuffle behind the scenes means stability away from the pitch will once again become a major focus ahead of the new season.