Former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards has rejected the opportunity to return to Anfield, according to an update from journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Edwards played a huge part in the Reds’ success during a big chunk of Jurgen Klopp’s reign, working superbly alongside the German and masterminding some stunning signings.
He became renowned as arguably the best sporting director around, ensuring that Liverpool brought in the likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson and Andy Robertson, as they matured into genuinely world-class players.
Unfortunately, Edwards decided to leave Anfield back in 2022, which was seen as a huge setback at the time, and while Julian Ward and Jorg Schmadtke have come in and done well since, they arguably aren’t quite on his level.
With Schmadtke leaving his role at the end of this month, following a short-term stay at Liverpool, Romano claims that the Reds have approached Edwards about returning in a more senior position, but have been knocked back by him:
“EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool have made contact with Michael Edwards over the weekend. FSG plan was to offer to be in charge of the restructure at the club. Understand Edwards has rejected LFC proposal as he’s not interested even in a more senior role as of today.”
Our thoughts on Edwards turning down Liverpool…
Having Edwards back in as sporting director or something similar would have been a dream scenario for so many Liverpool fans, considering the exceptional job he did in his first stint at the club.
Unless he has a change of heart, however, it looks as though the 44-year-old has made his mind up already, which is a blow for the Merseysiders.
It is vital that Liverpool nail their replacement for Schmadtke, and their next-best choice in the role could be West Ham technical director Tim Steidten, who has been linked with a move to Liverpool this week.
The fact that he has worked alongside Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen in the past suggests that he and the Spaniard could once again team up this summer, should the former Reds star become their next manager.
Nothing is set in stone, in that respect, but Alonso does appear to be a front-runner to be Klopp’s successor, and having someone he knows well to team up with could be shrewd planning by FSG.
