Michael Edwards steps down as Fenway Sports Group’s chief executive of football

By Harry Loxley · Senior Football Correspondent · 11.07.2026

By Harry Loxley — 11 July 2026 — 4 min read

Edwards’ departure from FSG

Michael Edwards has resigned from his position as chief executive of football for Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the owners of Liverpool FC. His departure was confirmed on Friday, bringing an end to his second tenure with the organisation. Edwards had informed FSG of his intention to step down in autumn 2025, once he felt the plans for Liverpool’s future were established. FSG had expressed a desire for him to remain in his role.

Edwards’ decision is linked to FSG’s abandonment of plans to expand its football operations by acquiring a second club. He was initially brought back to Liverpool in March 2024 to manage the transition following the departure of Jürgen Klopp. His role as FSG’s chief executive of football was created with a broader mandate than his previous position as Liverpool’s sporting director, which he held from 2016 to 2022. A significant part of this broader remit involved developing a multi-club ownership model and strategic partnerships.

Despite exploring various clubs, including Getafe and Bordeaux, FSG did not proceed with any acquisitions and shelved these plans last year. The purchase of a second club could potentially be revisited in the future. This decision by FSG reportedly put Edwards’ position in question, and he has now left with one year remaining on his contract. It is understood that Edwards is unlikely to receive a payoff as his departure was a personal decision, and FSG may not directly replace him, given the role was specifically created for him.

Impact on Liverpool’s leadership and transfer plans

Edwards’ exit is not anticipated to impact Liverpool’s summer transfer activities. The club’s transfer business is overseen by Richard Hughes, the sporting director, and plans for the current transfer window are already in place. However, Edwards’ departure does contribute to a degree of uncertainty within Liverpool’s hierarchy. Hughes, whose contract is set to expire in 2027, has been linked with a move to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.

Hughes, who was involved in the decision to appoint Andoni Iraola as head coach after sacking Arne Slot, could potentially leave once the summer transfer window concludes. In Edwards’ absence, FSG’s president, Mike Gordon, is expected to take on a more direct role in overseeing football operations. Edwards first joined Liverpool in 2011 and was instrumental in establishing a new football leadership structure during his second period with the club.

Gordon acknowledged Edwards’ contributions, stating that he consistently demonstrated exceptional judgment, integrity, and a commitment to building a strong football organisation. He also highlighted Edwards’ role in guiding Liverpool through a significant transition period, which included securing the club’s 20th English league title, an achievement to which Edwards made a notable contribution. While disappointed by his departure, Gordon expressed gratitude for Edwards’ contributions.

Edwards’ initial return to FSG was contingent on the commitment to a multi-club model, which he believed was crucial for Liverpool to compete effectively with rival clubs. He led an extensive search, analysing approximately 25 clubs across Europe, with a particular focus on Spain, Portugal, and France. However, no proposals received approval from the FSG board. Reports indicated in March that FSG had effectively put their plans to buy a second club on hold, a situation that reportedly frustrated Edwards.

Edwards initially joined Liverpool from Tottenham Hotspur in November 2011 as head of performance analysis. He progressed through various roles, becoming director of technical performance, then technical director, before being appointed sporting director in 2016. During his first spell, he gained a reputation as a skilled negotiator, and his collaboration with Klopp was key in building a team that won the Champions League in 2019 and ended the club’s 30-year wait for a league title with Premier League success the following season.

After stepping down as sporting director in 2022, Edwards reportedly declined numerous job offers from European clubs, including approaches from Manchester United and Chelsea. He subsequently worked as a consultant for Ludonautics, a sports advisory analytics business, alongside former Liverpool director of research Ian Graham. FSG approached Edwards in 2024 to manage the transition from the Klopp era, during which he appointed Hughes as sporting director and brought back Julian Ward as FSG technical director.

Edwards’ departure comes ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. In a statement, Edwards said it had been a privilege to return to FSG and Liverpool at such an important time. He expressed confidence that Liverpool is in a strong position with a clear direction for continued success. He also noted that while the broader project of shaping FSG’s wider football ambitions evolved differently than initially envisioned, he was proud of the work undertaken by his team.

The situation is considered far from ideal, as FSG had placed their trust in the Edwards/Hughes partnership to manage Liverpool in 2024 and did not anticipate such a swift conclusion. The expectation from the outset was that Edwards’ departure would likely occur in the summer of 2026.

Source: theguardian.com

Harry Loxley

Senior Football Correspondent

Harry Loxley is a Senior Football Correspondent at NewsGB.org. He spent his early career reporting East Midlands football. He focuses on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of Derby and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Derby, he watches non-league and runs a fan podcast. “Good football writing follows the people, not just the points.”