Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s rebuild has been well and truly underway in the boardroom, already securing the services of top-rated executives in Omar Berrada and Dan Ashworth from Manchester City and Newcastle respectively.
The executive rebuild was not going to end there, with reports from late last year claiming former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards was in INEOS’ list of targets for the executive positions.
The potential heist will however not pan out as David Ornstein confirms.
As The Athletic reports, former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards has been given a leadership role at Fenway Sports Group, which own the Merseyside club.
The executive was at Liverpool between 2011 and 2022. The 44-year-old was initially hired as the head of performance and analysis but was promoted to Sporting director in 2016.
Edwards was a key part of Liverpool’s key success, with one of his major hits being identifying Jürgen Klopp for the managerial role in 2015. A decision which shaped an era in Merseyside.
He was also notably responsible for the signing of marquee Liverpool players like Sadio Mané, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and captain Virgil Van Dijk before leaving Anfield in 2022.
Though FSG wanted him to stick around, Edwards left at the end of his contract and took a break before launching an advisory service, Ludonautics, last year. He will step down from his role with the company before rejoining Liverpool.
Edward’s appointment was confirmed earlier today by FSG Mike Gordon. He returns to FSG as CEO of football for the American investment group.
“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,” FSG president Mike Gordon said upon the announcement.
His first important task will be finding a successor for the manager he brought to Anfield as Jürgen Klopp is set to leave at the end of the season.