With the retirement of Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool’s structure will undergo a major transformation from next season onward.
Former sporting director Jorg Schmatke, who helped bring in Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo last summer, also left the team when the transfer market closed this winter.
In order to move forward in a new era, Liverpool’s owner, Fenway Sports Group, had been making every effort to bring back former SD Michael Edwards, and negotiations have finally been finalized for him to become the CEO of the Boston-based investment group’s football division, The Athletic reported.
Edwards, who will be involved in football-related operations, will now be in a position to lead the club’s operations. Richard Hughes, who is also closely associated with him, has also been unofficially confirmed to leave Bournemouth after this season and take up the position of sporting director at Liverpool, as had been previously rumored.
FSG president Mike Gordon, in making the announcement, expressed his delight at signing Michael Edwards, whom he has been targeting.
“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,”
“As an organisation we constantly strive for improvement in our football operation, whether that be identifying fresh opportunities externally or areas for enhancement internally, and there is no better person to lead that ongoing process.”
In addition to Edwards’ appointment, Hughes has also been informally confirmed, which will accelerate the reinforcement strategy and the search for a new manager for next season.
The ability of the team to bring their big-name coach, Xabi Alonso, to Anfield will be tested immediately.
In addition, it will be essential to reach a consensus among the three, including the new coach, on the acquisition of players to help Liverpool through the transition period, such as a center-back who is getting older on average and a successor to Mohamed Salah.
Can Liverpool avoid a period of stagnation like Manchester United and Arsenal and maintain their winning streak?