Edwards‘ll be Liverpool CEO of Football & help owners set up a multi-club model

Michael Edwards has returned to Liverpool under the role of CEO of Football at owners Fenway Sports Group where he will head up daily operations for the Premier League leaders, with his first task likely to be appointing sporting director Richard Hughes.

Edwards turned down multiple approaches to return to the club during his two years away, where he set up a football analytics firm, Ludonautics, of which he will officially leave on June 1.

FSG chief Mike Gordon spearheaded the drive to convince Edwards to return.

Liverpool and FSG now have their eye on acquiring a second football team and look set to dip their toes into the world of multi-club ownership.

Edwards will oversee the identification of this second club, alongside former Boston Red Sox chief Theo Epstein who has returned to FSG.

Edwards, 44, will assume Gordon's responsibilities after the pair held constructive and detailed talks in Boston 10 days ago, with Liverpool's hierarchy making one final play to tempt him back.

Principal owner John W Henry was also present and influential at the meeting.

Edwards finally agreed to return to the club as CEO of Football on Monday after receiving assurances from FSG chiefs over his power at Anfield.

Liverpool are keen for him to spearhead their football operations inclusive of recruitment, player trading, academy and the first team.

His first job, though, appears to be leading the search for a new sporting director, a position expected to be filled by his old friend Richard Hughes, who announced last week his decision to leave Bournemouth.

Edwards and Hughes have strong relations stemming from when the latter was a player at Portsmouth.

Edwards was a young data analyst at the south coast club working under Harry Redknapp and he