Michael Edwards has left Fenway Sports Group with immediate effect, with the 47-year-old already replaced from within in his day-to-day role at Liverpool.
Edwards tendered his resignation after the project he was in charge of within FSG “evolved differently to how we had originally envisaged,” a statement confirmed on Friday.
In his role as CEO of football, Edwards intended to lead a new multi-club model around Liverpool, but those plans were shelved after extensive background work.
His remit was not solely in acquiring further clubs, however, with the former sporting director working alongside Richard Hughes in recruitment and major off-field matters.
Mike Gordon to take over from Michael Edwards
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 25, 2025: Liverpool's co-owner and NESV Chairman Tom Werner, Director Michael Gordon, and owner John W. Henry with the trophy, as the team celebrate becoming Champions for the 20th time, after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Those day-to-day duties, which include signing off on budgets, will now be taken up by FSG president Mike Gordon (pictured centre), who returns to the responsibility after stepping back in 2022.
“The one constant throughout all the comings and goings – and returns – has been Gordon, who is effectively the managing owner,” the Times‘ Paul Joyce writes.
“His low-key, analytical demeanour and rational thinking is viewed internally as having been central to Liverpool’s rise.”
Gordon remained in his position as president within FSG but was less involved at Liverpool in recent years, not least following Edwards’ appointment two years ago.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 27, 2025: Liverpool's Director Michael Gordon, Chief Executive Officer Billy Hogan and Julian Ward after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 5-1 and became League Champions. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
But he will now be in charge of football operations, which could be particularly important in the months to come as Hughes is expected to vacate his role as sporting director.
While The Athletic‘s James Pearce reports that FSG are “unlikely to recruit a replacement” for Edwards, that will not be the case with Hughes.
Hughes, who is in talks to take a role at Al-Hilal after the summer transfer window, will need an immediate successor – assistant sporting director David Woodfine and current FSG technical director Julian Ward could be among the candidates.
Next for Michael Edwards: Saudi job or replace Klopp?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 27, 2025: Fenway Sports Group Director of Football Michael Edwards during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 5-1 and became League Champions. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
As for Edwards, talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs writes on X that he is “unlikely to seek another extended break from football” having spent two years away after first resigning as Liverpool sporting director in 2022.
He was subject to approaches from Man United, Chelsea and Ajax prior to his return to Merseyside, but instead teamed up with Dr Ian Graham with sports advisory analytics group Ludonautics.
More recently, Edwards has himself been linked with a role in Saudi Arabia, while Jurgen Klopp‘s imminent departure from his job as Red Bull’s head of global soccer could be intriguingly timed.
Red Bull were known to have made an offer to Edwards in the past and it is not out of the realms of possibility that he replaces Klopp when he becomes Germany manager.