Michael Edwards 'agrees Liverpool return' - sporting director hire also close

Michael Edwards will return to Liverpool to lead their footballing operations after agreeing terms with club owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG), according to reports.

Liverpool are on the hunt for a new sporting director following Jorg Schmadtke's departure at the end of the January transfer window and quickly sounded out Edwards, who took on the role with great success between 2016 and 2022 having spent a further five years working behind the scenes.

revealed last month FSG touched base with Edwards over a return on a consultancy basis, but he was not interested. However, he was open to coming back to Anfield if his role was upscaled.

were first to report on Tuesday that Edwards has now agreed to 'head football operations' for FSG at Liverpool. Though his job title has not yet been defined, he will indeed work in a grander capacity than his previous sporting director role.

Edwards will now look to finalise the appoint of Richard Hughes, who recently confirmed his exit from Bournemouth, as Liverpool's new sporting director, with this transaction 'considered a formality'.

Together, Edwards and Hughes will be tasked with appointing a new manager to replace the outgoing Jurgen Klopp, who will step down at the end of the season.

previously reported Xabi Alonso is the frontrunner for the job and top of a shortlist featuring seven contenders, though Liverpool have been determined to sort out the sporting director situation before proceeding with the managerial appointment. The Reds are also unconcerned by rival interest in the Bayer Leverkusen boss from Bayern Munich, who are looking for a successor to Thomas Tuchel.

On the pitch, Liverpool are well-placed to secure quadruple to round off Klopp's final season. They have already won