Former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards has declined an opportunity to return to Anfield, according to The Athletic.
The online news portal claims that Mike Gordon, president of Liverpool owner Fenway Sports Group (FSG), reached out to Edwards with the idea of him taking on a senior role within the club or FSG itself to oversee ongoing restructuring efforts.
The conversation between Gordon and Edwards took place over the weekend, following the surprising news on Friday that Jurgen Klopp will depart at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Despite the potential for a significant role in the restructure, he made it clear during the conversation that he would not be returning to the club.
Edwards officially left his role in May 2022 and was succeeded by his former assistant Julian Ward, but Ward also left the sporting director position at the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
The 44-year-old took a break before partnering with the club’s former research guru, Ian Graham, to launch a data advisory company named Ludonautics.
The company is actively providing advice to football clubs, including Bolton Wanderers, leveraging their expertise in data analysis and research.
Jorg Schmadtke assumed the role of Liverpool’s sporting director on a short-term basis in June.
His tenure is scheduled to conclude at the end of the month, during which he has overseen the football operations department and played a pivotal role in managing both incoming and outgoing transfers.
Schmadtke brings prior experience in similar roles at Wolfsburg, Cologne, Hannover, and Alemannia Aachen to his responsibilities with Liverpool.
He said: “Liverpool is a very special club so to have had the opportunity to work here has been a huge honour for me, even though I knew from the outset that it would only be for a short period.
“I would like to thank everyone – the owners, manager, staff, players and fans – for the support I have been given and offer my best wishes for the rest of this season.”
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