Michael Edwards left Liverpool after an 11-year stint last summer and he is now expected to return to football as an non-executive director with an advisory service
Michael Edwards (left) is set for a return to football
Ex-Liverpool Sporting Director Michael Edwards is set to return to football by launching an advisory service.
The 43-year-old left Anfield last summer after a successful 11-year spell, where he helped build the club’s most successful side in a generation. Under his watch, Liverpool won every major trophy available to them, including the Premier League and Champions League.
There has been speculation over Edwards’ future since his departure from Liverpool, with Chelsea and European sides linked with the Englishman. Julian Ward took over from Edwards as sporting director for the 2022/23 season, before Jorg Schmadtke was appointed in July.
As for Edwards, he is now preparing to return as a non-executive director of Ludonautics alongside Liverpool’s former director of research Ian Graham. However, this role - which will see Edwards reunited with his former Reds colleague - will not prevent Edwards from taking a permanent job elsewhere, according to The Athletic, although Edwards’ immediate focus will be on Graham’s new company.
The report also claims that those with a knowledge of the situation believe Edwards does not intend to take another sporting director role in his career. That would prove to be a blow to clubs looking him, with Manchester United and Chelsea both credited with an interest in Edwards last year.
Edwards and Graham played a huge role in guiding Liverpool back to the top, helping win the Reds’ first-ever Premier League title in 2020 and their sixth Champions League. He, alongside Klopp, underwent a huge overhaul in the playing squad, with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk brought to the club.
When he confirmed he would be leaving Liverpool, he wrote an open letter to fans last year. It started: “Ten years, that’s a pretty long time in anyone’s working life. In football terms, it is an era in itself, particularly at a club like Liverpool where the expectations and standards are never anything other than as high as the supporters deserve.
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Image:
Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“To be part of this club during this period has been a privilege due to the people I have been fortunate enough to work with and the success we have enjoyed.
“But all good things must come to an end and, in my case, I recently completed my final summer window as Liverpool sporting director. Even writing those words seems a bit surreal, but at the end of this season I will pack up my laptop and leave my office at the AXA Training Centre for the last time.
“Before I do so, though, I wanted to take this opportunity to explain the reasons why I’m moving on because I’m a great believer that supporters deserve clarity at times like this. The last thing I want is unfounded speculation, particularly as I know the Liverpool Football Club that I am leaving behind couldn’t be in better hands.”
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