Michael Edwards is reportedly closing in on a return to football after leaving Liverpool last summer, who have since made a host of changes behind the scenes.
Edwards, 44, enjoyed a hugely successful 11-year stint at Anfield in his role as sporting director. Alongside Jurgen Klopp, he helped construct one of the most successful Liverpool sides in recent history, with the club winning both the Premier League and the Champions League during his tenure.
Julian Ward was appointed as Edwards’ successor but stood down after just one season in charge; and it was his exit that proved to be the catalyst for Liverpool to change certain elements of how they function in terms of their recruitment.
Whilst Liverpool’s previous transfer regime was very much a collaborative committee, Klopp has inherited far more sway behind the scenes since Edwards’ exit.
Back in April – shortly before Ward’s exit – it was reported by The Athletic, via NBC Sports, that Klopp’s “power was increasing” when it came to transfers. There have been several examples of Klopp’s growing influence over the past couple of years, including his intervention during contract talks with Jordan Henderson back in 2021.
Furthermore, Liverpool replaced Ward this summer with Jorg Schmadtke; somebody who Klopp knows very well from his time in the Bundesliga. The arrival of Schmadtke, albeit only on a short-term contract initially, underlines just how significantly Klopp’s influence has grown behind the scenes at Anfield over the past 12 months.
While Klopp and Schmadtke are now pulling the strings at Liverpool, Edwards is set to make a return to the footballing world by launching his own advisory service, according to The Athletic. He will hold a non-executive director role in Ludonautics alongside one of his former Liverpool colleagues Ian Graham: the Reds’ former director of research.
While Edwards’ plans are primarily focused on his new role with Ludonautics after a year out of the game, the former Liverpool transfer guru’s work would not prevent him from taking up another sporting director position, should he choose to do so in the future.
However, the report goes on to outline that it is understood that Edwards has no desire to take on a similar role, despite the fact that numerous high-profile clubs have coveted his services since his Anfield exit.
Both Chelsea and Manchester United have been credited with an interest in Edwards this past year, whilst Real Madrid were also touted as a potential destination after he announced he was standing down from his role at Liverpool.
