Manchester United, the biggest rival for Liverpool in the Premier League, is reportedly interested in former Reds sporting director Michael Edwards. Elsewhere, there’s apparently a possibility that the Qataris who failed to buy United turn their attention to Anfield.
Manchester United has identified Michael Edwards as a possible candidate for a new sporting director role at Old Trafford, according to The Mirror. Edwards left an equivalent position at Liverpool in 2022, and has since set up a new consultancy business with former Reds colleague Ian Graham.
However, Jim Ratcliffe, the British businessman who is this week poised to acquire 25 per cent of the club in a $1.7bn (£1.4bn/€1.6bn) deal, may try to tempt him back into the club game. While the Glazer family will retain control of United, Ratcliffe is set to be placed in charge of the footballing operation, and one of the changes could be the creation of a new sporting director position.
Ratcliffe is also said to be interested in Julian Ward, who was once Edwards’ assistant and then spent a single season as his successor. However, there’s an acknowledgement that the duo’s Liverpool connections could stand in the way of any possible approach.
While the report claims that both men are ‘available’, it’s worth noting that The Athletic claimed earlier on Tuesday that Edwards doesn’t intend to go back down the sporting director route. For Ratcliffe, then, these proposed coups may remain in the realm of fantasy.
Qatar may turn to Liverpool after Man Utd failure
The prospective Qatari buyers for Manchester United could theoretically direct their $8bn (£6.6bn/€7.6bn) funding towards a bid for Liverpool, The Daily Mail’s Mike Keegan says. Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim tried to buy 100 per cent of the club, but his offers didn’t meet the asking price set out by the Glazers.
It emerged at the weekend that Sheikh Jassim had withdrawn from the process after negotiations between the two parties collapsed. He’s said to be ‘disappointed and angered’ at how it all played out.
According to Keegan, speaking on the ‘It’s All Kicking Off’ podast, the pot of money set aside for United remains ‘ready to go’. An approach for United’s great rival can’t be ruled out at this stage.
“What I know about is that they set aside $8bn for this project,” he said. “That money is there and ready to go. It will be burning a hole in their pocket.
“What a story that would be, if they were that way inclined. From what I am led to believe they are very disappointed and angered at how this has played out.
“What better way to respond than go to United’s biggest rivals down the road and throw all the money you were going to put into United into making them pay for that decision not to sell to you?”
As yet, there’s no firm indication that the Qataris are genuinely interested in acquiring Liverpool. Even if they are, then they may not meet a willing negotiator, with FSG affirming its long-term commitment to the club after selling a minority stake to American investment firm Dynasty Equity (via The Guardian).
