09 March 2024 , 11:14
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Liverpool have finally convinced Michael Edwards to return to the club, nearly two years after he left.
Edwards left his role as sporting director in May 2022, having spent 11 years at the club. He originally joined as technical analyst from Tottenham in November 2011 and developed a reputation for a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/jurgen-klopp">Jurgen Klopp at the helm.
The 44-year-old has been on a sabbatical since departing Merseyside and, despite being linked with Manchester United and Chelsea, remains available. Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, flew Edwards out to Boston this week to try and persuade him to re-join the club in the wake of the news about Klopp’s departure at the end of the season.
While he is undoubtedly the headline, Klopp isn’t the only person leaving, with sporting director Jorg Schmadtke also departing. With Julian Ward having also left the club in recent times, Liverpool are in need of a new leadership structure at the club.
Edwards turned down the offer of a return back in January, but The Athletic reports that he is now close to agreeing a return, albeit in a ‘far broader capacity’. Rather than returning to his old job of sporting director, Edwards will take a higher up position inside FSG, with a decision expected next week.
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Edwards’ work at Liverpool has been frequently lionised since he left, with the signings of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Alisson and Sadio Mane held up as his successes. He received a glowing review from Klopp upon the announcement of his departure – and his own words hinted at the fact he wouldn’t return in a similar role.
"I had always planned to cap my time at the club to a maximum of 10 years," he said at the time, adding: "I think it's good for the individual and for the employer too." He is expected to return in an overarching role, with Richard Hughes replacing Schmadtke as sporting director after handing in his notice at Bournemouth.
Michael Edwards worked closely with Jurgen Klopp and Mike Gordon previously (Getty Images)If appointed soon, Edwards would be expected to play an important role in picking Klopp’s successor. Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso has been the frontrunner ever since Klopp’s announcement in January, but there will be some competition with Barcelona and Bayern Munich also searching for a new manager.
Edwards left on good terms in May 2022, saying: “I have complete trust in Mike Gordon and the wider ownership group in their vision for what comes next,” he said. “Julian and I have worked closely since he became loans and pathway manager, plus even more so in his wider role during the past 12 months.
“We have so many brilliant people here, all of whom contribute to what we have achieved and I have nothing but confidence we will continue to develop, progress and improve as an organisation.”
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