Michael Edwards snubbed FOUR clubs before Liverpool return

Michael Edwards turned down approaches from two of Liverpool's Premier League rivals as well as overseas interest, while FSG's promise of multi-club ownership helped seal his return.

On Tuesday, it was announced that Edwards, who left his role as sporting director in 2022, will return to Liverpool in a senior role overseeing FSG's football operations.

The 44-year-old spent ten years at Liverpool between 2012 and 2022 in a variety of roles, working his way up to sporting director in 2016.

He became immensely popular with fans, earning a reputation for identifying and securing top talent in the transfer market through a data-led approach, as well as getting best value from player sales.

He is credited with playing a key role in the arrivals of several of the most pivotal signings of the modern era at Liverpool, including the likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker.

Edwards' new title

While Edwards initially declined an approach to return in his old post following interim appointee Jorg Schmadtke's departure at the end of January, he was then offered a more senior position in a face-to-face pitch by FSG leaders John W. Henry and Mike Gordon in America at the start of March.

Edwards' official title will be FSG chief executive of football.

Edwards is now expected to oversee the transition following Jurgen Klopp's exit at the end of the season and will be responsible for appointing the German's successor, as well as the new sporting director, which is expected to be Richard Hughes.

'Fresh challenge'

In quotes carried by outlets including the Athletic, Edwards revealed that the promise of identifying and managing a second club for FSG played a big role in his decision to return.

“I am very grateful to Mike, John, Tom and the ownership group for offering me the opportunity to take on this new leadership role within FSG,” Edwards said.

“I was humbled by the desire and persistence they showed in wanting to work with me again. This is definitely not something that I take for granted given their track record across sport and business.

“It was vital for me that, if I did return, it had to be with renewed vigour and energy,” Edwards said. “In practice, this means having fresh challenges and opportunities.

“As such, one of the biggest factors in my decision is the commitment to acquire and oversee an additional club, growing this area of their organisation. I believe that to remain competitive, investment and expansion of the current football portfolio is necessary.”

On Edwards' return, FSG president Mike Gordon said in a statement: “Michael is one of the most formidable executive talents in world football and John (Henry), Tom (Werner), and I are absolutely thrilled to have secured his services for our business.

“As an organisation we constantly strive for improvement in our football operation, whether that be identifying fresh opportunities externally or areas for enhancement internally, and there is no better person to lead that ongoing process.”

Rivals rejected

The return of Edwards, who will resign from his current role at consultancy firm Ludonautics in June, is something of a coup for Liverpool to kick off the post Klopp era.

He is highly regarded for his previous work at Anfield and has been coveted by several of the Reds' rivals since his departure two years ago.

Both David Ornstein (the Athletic) and Chris Bascombe (Telegraph) note that Edwards rejected approaches from both Manchester United and Chelsea prior to his agreement to return to Liverpool.

The two Premier League clubs wanted Edwards to help restructure their own footballing operations.

It was reported back in 2022, shortly after leaving Liverpool, that he had turned down an approach to become Chelsea's 'CEO of Football', while last year there were reports of interest from Manchester United amid their takeover talk.

Sky Sports' Melissa Reddy adds that both Real Madrid and PSG too had made enquiries about Edwards' availability.

The level of interest demonstrates just how sought-after Edwards had become.