Michael Edwards has stepped down as chief executive officer of football for Fenway Sports Group (FSG), bringing his association with Liverpool to a close ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. FSG described the exit as a "planned transition."

A decade-long connection to Anfield

Edwards first joined the club in 2011, serving as performance director before being elevated to sporting director in 2016. He departed in 2022 after more than a decade in the role, only to return in March 2024 as CEO of football, stepping in as Jurgen Klopp prepared to leave Anfield.

During his first tenure, Edwards was widely credited with assembling the squad that delivered Liverpool's 2019/20 Premier League title — the club's first league championship since 1990 — ending a 30-year wait that had defined a generation of supporters.

Slot's title and Iraola's arrival

His second spell in charge of football operations oversaw the appointment of Arne Slot as head coach in June 2024. Slot led the Reds to their historic 20th English top-flight title in 2025, a milestone that cemented Liverpool's place among the game's elite. However, Slot's second season fell below expectations, and he was replaced by Andoni Iraola in early June 2026.

In a formal statement, FSG acknowledged the significance of Edwards' contribution: "Since returning to the organisation in March 2024, he has helped oversee Liverpool through a significant period of change, including the implementation of a new football leadership structure and the appointment of a new head coach. He also oversaw the continued evolution of the club's football operation during a period in which Liverpool secured its historic 20th English league title in 2025, before preparations for the next phase of its development."

What comes next for Liverpool

FSG confirmed that Edwards' departure follows the completion of what the group described as "key strategic priorities," suggesting the club's leadership structure has now been reshaped to the ownership's satisfaction. Edwards leaves with Liverpool entering a new chapter under Iraola, with the 2026/27 season on the horizon.