Michael Edwards returned to Liverpool for a second time when he took up a senior role at FSG, but has now chosen to quit the job, which comes as a shock to the Premier League side.
Michael Edwards has stepped down as chief executive of football at Fenway Sports Group, leaving Liverpool in dire straits.
He was frustrated by FSG’s lack of progress on signing a second European team, and Edwards first indicated his intention to transfer last fall. He has now announced his resignation, leaving two years into a three-year contract with the organization.
FSG chairman Mike Gordon will take over day-to-day management of Liverpool after unsuccessful attempts to persuade Edwards to stay.
Edwards was a key figure in Jurgen Klopp’s creation of the team that ultimately helped Liverpool achieve their first Premier League title in 2020. They had also won the Champions League 12 months earlier and his departure was seen as a blow.
FSG was able to lure Edwards back into a more senior role, but due to insufficient progress in the organization’s ambitions, Edwards chose to move on.
Michael Edwards returned to Liverpool in 2024 but chose to step away from the role (Image: Getty Images)
Edwards said in a statement: “It was an honor to return to Fenway Sports Group and Liverpool Football Club at such a critical time. I leave believing that Liverpool is in a strong position, with great people, clear direction and the foundations in place for continued success.”
“When I came back, I was not only excited about the opportunity to help guide Liverpool through an important period of transition, but also the opportunity to help shape FSG’s wider footballing ambitions.
“While that extensive project ultimately developed differently than we had originally envisaged, I am proud of our team’s work in presenting ownership with a wide range of thoughtful and well-conceived options for the future. I would like to thank Mike, John (Henry), Tom (Werner) and everyone at FSG and Liverpool for their support and friendship, and most importantly, the supporters whose passion makes this club so special.”
When Edwards handed back the reins to expand FSG’s football operations beyond Liverpool. They scrutinized 25 different clubs and Edwards was keen to adopt the multi-club format currently used by Manchester City.
There are big doubts over the future of sporting director Richard Hughes, who is linked with a move to Saudi Arabia (Image: Liverpool FC, via Getty Images)
Getafe, Bordeaux, Toulouse and Malaga were also considered by FSG, but they ultimately withdrew from the deal. Although the possibility of buying a second team in the future has not been ruled out, FSG continues to pour money into Liverpool, breaking English transfer records twice last summer.
Liverpool have only won the Premier League twice, in 2020 and 2025, and both were achieved with Edwards having some influence.
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is currently in talks to move to Al Hilal in the Saudi professional league, causing great uncertainty in the hierarchy at Anfield.
Hughes’ contract is due to expire in the summer of 2027, and he has just appointed Andoni Iraola as head coach after Arne Slott was sacked at the end of May.
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