FSG are walking into contract trouble with Arne Slot, Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards all entering the final year of their deals at Liverpool.
The Dutchman’s future has dominated headlines at Anfield for much of the season, but the two decision-makers are also currently in an uncertain place.
Hughes has been linked to Saudi Arabia, and it’s unclear whether he is tempted by the offer. As for Edwards, the latest murmurings from inside Liverpool are that he is frustrated with things at present.
So much so that it’s not looking like he will renew.
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Liverpool sources not confident Michael Edwards wants to stay
Edwards has been making the decisions at Liverpool for almost a decade when you put together his two stints. He is a big reason for the vast success we enjoyed under Jurgen Klopp.
He returned as chief executive of football when the German left, and has been heavily involved in the recruitment efforts at the club.
But patience is allegedly wearing thin, as Paul Joyce has revealed in The Times.
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He writes: “Edwards, who has been frustrated as far back as last summer by the lack of progress with regard to the purchase of a second football club for the FSG empire, does not appear likely to sign a new deal as it stands.
Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes pictured holding the Premier League title.
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“Sources close to the ownership declined to comment.”
It’s a strange time to be pondering an exit. Liverpool are in a transition, and this season has felt like that. The hope is that it starts to come together next season.
He won’t be gone before then, but his contract expires next summer. Liverpool will likely return to the negotiating table in the meantime, but as it stands, a renewal looks unlikely.
Edwards had a multi-club plan for Liverpool that has now been abandoned, and could be why he has lost enthusiasm.
Sources on Richard Hughes leaving Liverpool
Joyce also mentioned the other half of that executive duo, addressing the rumours that Hughes is also considering leaving.
The interest appears to be there, and the idea of him cutting his deal short has been mooted as a real possibility.
On the sporting director, Joyce writes: “Al-Hilal have targeted Hughes, but there would be surprise from some at the club if he was to leave this summer.
“That is not to say, however, he is at Liverpool for the long term.”
Surely Hughes wants to stick around. It’s only up from here, and next season should see the Reds return to competing at the top. It feels like a strange time to abandon ship.
That’s not to say it won’t happen.
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