Liverpool are all set to put the first pieces of their summer rebuild into place.
With Jurgen Klopp set to depart at the end of the season, the Reds are actively looking for the right man to replace him. Xabi Alonso is the heavy favourite, but there’s nothing confirmed in that respect just yet.
But aside from hopefully snaring Alonso, Liverpool have been dead-set on bringing another former Anfield favourite back to the club: former sporting director Michael Edwards.
Up until the last few days, it had seemed unlikely that Edwards would return. But a breakthrough now appears to have been found. Sky Sports tonight report that the 44-year-old’s comeback is set to be confirmed next week.
Edwards won’t be coming back to his old position, though. Instead, it’s claimed that he will be take up a ‘prominent’ position within ownership group FSG. Reportedly set to ‘lead football operations’ as well as performing ‘external tasks’ in the US, the role is said to be much more all-encompassing than his previous one with the Reds.
Edwards was reportedly firm in his assertion that he would not be taking merely a sporting director position again. It’s claimed that he had been ‘discussed internally’ at Manchester United, but the position would not have appealed. Furthermore, European heavyweights PSG and Real Madrid are said to have ‘made checks’ on Edwards, however nothing went any further. Liverpool are going to get their man.
Edwards set for Liverpool return
This is a quite incredible piece of news for Liverpool. When he left in 2022, it had looked near impossible that Edwards would return to the club.
That he does so with Klopp on the way out is not great for putting to bed rumours that the pair had a bit of a falling out, leading to Edwards leaving.
Nevertheless, on the way out Jurgen is. As a result, the relationship between the two is no longer a relevant matter. And because of that, this is real cause for Liverpool fans to celebrate.
Edwards earnt much praise during his previous decade at Anfield. Jamie Carragher called him ‘fantastic’ on X not too long ago and, in truth, the Reds had never fully replaced him.
Of course, with their former employee adamant that he’ll be filling a new role though, his old position still needs filling, too.
And to that end, Sky Sports report – as has already been mentioned – that Edwards’ return will also mean Richard Hughes joining as sporting director.
Hughes arrives from Bournemouth and will apparently report to Edwards on all relevant matters.
Obviously, this hasn’t all been confirmed just at the time of writing. Although it appears that an official announcement won’t be too far away. Now we just need to get that pesky manager’s position filled.
