Michael Edwards has walked away from his role as chief executive of football with Liverpool's owners Fenway Sports Group, two years into a three-year contract. FSG described the departure as part of a "planned transition following the completion of key strategic priorities", though group president Mike Gordon admitted the owners are "naturally disappointed" about his exit.
Edwards began his second spell with the club in March 2024, hired by FSG to oversee the transition from the Jurgen Klopp era. In a statement, he said: "Liverpool is in a strong position, with outstanding people, a clear direction and the foundations in place for continued success."
“Michael Edwards leaves FSG two years into a three-year contract; club faces Salah departure and Hughes speculation.”
His return had been motivated by the chance to shape FSG's wider football ambitions. "While that broader project ultimately evolved differently to how we had originally envisaged, I am proud of the work our team undertook in presenting ownership with a broad range of thoughtful and well-developed options for the future," he added.
Edwards originally joined Liverpool in 2011 and was promoted to sporting director in 2016, leaving in the summer of 2022. During that period he built a reputation for shrewd transfer dealing, recruiting Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Andy Robertson and Virgil van Dijk. Those signings helped the Reds end a 30‑year wait for a top‑flight league title in 2020.
After Klopp's departure, Arne Slot won the Premier League in 2024‑25 before being replaced by Andoni Iraola. Now the club must also replace its long‑time talisman Salah, who left at the end of the last campaign, while speculation mounts that sporting director Richard Hughes could also be on the move.