Edwards leaves football chief role with Liverpool owners FSG

Michael Edwards has left his role as chief executive of football with Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG). FSG described the departure as a "planned transition following the completion of key strategic priorities," and group president Mike Gordon stated the owners are "naturally disappointed" about his exit. Edwards leaves two years into a three-year contract, having returned for a second spell in March 2024 to oversee the transition from the Jurgen Klopp era. In a statement, Edwards said Liverpool is in a strong position with outstanding people and a clear direction for continued success. He noted that while the broader project to shape FSG's football ambitions "evolved differently to how we had originally envisaged," he is proud of the work done to present ownership with options for the future. Edwards originally joined Liverpool in 2011, became sporting director in 2016, and left in 2022, building a reputation for successful transfers including Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Andy Robertson, and Virgil van Dijk, who helped end a 30-year wait for a league title in 2020. Replacing Salah, who left at the end of the last campaign, is noted as a key challenge, and there is speculation that sporting director Richard Hughes could also depart.