Michael Edwards has returned to Liverpool under the role of CEO of Football at owners Fenway Sports Group where he will head up daily operations for the Premier League leaders, with his first task likely to be appointing sporting director Richard Hughes.
Edwards turned down multiple approaches to return to the club during his two years away, where he set up a football analytics firm, Ludonautics, of which he will officially leave on June 1.
FSG chief Mike Gordon spearheaded the drive to convince Edwards to return.
Edwards will oversee the identification of this second club, alongside former Boston Red Sox chief Theo Epstein who has returned to FSG.
Michael Edwards (left) is set to return to Liverpool as CEO of Football, taking over day-to-day running of the club from FSG’s Mike Gordon (right)
Edwards spent 10 years at Liverpool previously and was influential in Klopp’s success
John W Henry (centre) and Mike Gordon met up with Edwards, as FSG plan for life after Klopp
Edwards, 44, will assume Gordon’s responsibilities after the pair held constructive and detailed talks in Boston 10 days ago, with Liverpool’s hierarchy making one final play to tempt him back.
Principal owner John W Henry was also present and influential at the meeting.
Edwards finally agreed to return to the club as CEO of Football on Monday after receiving assurances from FSG chiefs over his power at Anfield.
Liverpool are keen for him to spearhead their football operations inclusive of recruitment, player trading, academy and the first team.
His first job, though, appears to be leading the search for a new sporting director, a position expected to be filled by his old friend Richard Hughes, who announced last week his decision to leave Bournemouth.
Edwards and Hughes have strong relations stemming from when the latter was a player at Portsmouth.
Edwards was a young data analyst at the south coast club working under Harry Redknapp and he forged a good friendship with midfielder Hughes, also 44.
The pair stayed in touch and have dealt together many times, with Liverpool selling the likes of Dominic Solanke and Jordon Ibe to the Cherries.
Hughes was highly influential, working alongside Eddie Howe, as Bournemouth became an established top-flight club.
Liverpool are hoping to wrap up a deal for Bournemouth transfer chief Richard Hughes
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Edwards spent 10 years at Liverpool from 2012 and has been lauded as one of the most influential figures alongside Klopp in the club’s recent glory decade.
He played a key role in the signings of the likes of Mohamed Salah, Alisson and Virgil Van Dijk.
Once Hughes arrives, the pair will move to appoint Klopp’s successor. Xabi Alonso remains the front-runner but Sporting’s Ruben Amorim is also high on the list. Roberto De Zerbi has also been mentioned alongside Julian Nagelsmann.
Hughes is multi-lingual and is said to know ‘everyone in football’. He is said to have a good relationship with Inaki Ibanez, the agent of Xabi Alonso who also manages Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola.
The Basque boss was seen as a coup for a club of Bournemouth’s size.
FSG were keen to ‘get the band back together’ and Epstein’s arrival signposts a desire to bring back trusted executives, with a proven c.v. for success and sound decision-making. He has also returned in a broader role.
In a statement from FSG, Edwards said: ‘I am very grateful to Mike (Gordon), John (W Henry), Tom (Werner) and the ownership group for offering me the opportunity to take on this new leadership role within FSG.
‘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 organization.
‘I believe that to remain competitive, investment and expansion of the current football portfolio is necessary.
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‘With Liverpool F.C., I will oversee the required reinforcement of football operations, with a number of essential leadership positions needing urgent attention.
‘I know from personal experience what a wonderful job Mike Gordon has done with day-to-day oversight on behalf of his fellow owners.
‘Going forward I’m looking forward to working with FSG’s Board of Managers. Also, 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.’
