​Jamie Carragher has admitted he is “disappointed” but not surprised by Michael Edwards’ decision to leave his role as CEO of Football with FSG. Edwards, 47, ended his involvement with the Boston-based firm last Friday, a move that reinforces the sense of instability at Liverpool at the highest level. It is reported that his departure stemmed from frustration over FSG’s decision to abandon plans to implement a multi-club model.
The timing of Edwards’ exit comes amid growing uncertainty surrounding the future of sporting director Richard Hughes, with recent reports suggesting he could be departing for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia in the near future.
Reflecting on the news, Carragher described the mid-transfer-window timing as far from ideal and suggested Andoni Iraola, the newly appointed head coach, might feel isolated amid the ongoing behind-the-scenes upheaval. Speaking to Sky Sports (via Liverpool.com), the former Liverpool defender said: “I’m disappointed, but not really shocked. It was well documented when he returned to the club that his role would be somewhat different. He was looking at Liverpool having a feeder club, but that didn’t materialise. I think this was going to happen at some stage, though it’s disappointing that it’s occurred in the middle of the transfer window. I don’t know why he couldn’t have stayed and offered his expertise to help push some signings over the line and perhaps leave once the window had closed.”
Carragher noted that these kinds of roles in football have become more high-profile over the past decade or two, but he kept coming back to the idea that the manager remains the most crucial figure. He pointed to Klopp’s era as the defining period of Liverpool’s success and suggested that the events of the past year have underscored broader unrest behind the scenes. “What happened in the last 12 months shows that,” he added, before acknowledging that Hughes might also be moving on after this window, which could leave Iraola feeling somewhat isolated—especially since Hughes brought the coach to Anfield from Bournemouth and his possible departure may come swiftly.
Carragher warned that the churn at boardroom level will likely continue behind the scenes and warned it does not help the new manager or the club at this moment. “But this is football. It happens with players, managers, and now directors of football,” he concluded.
As for Iraola’s future, one could question whether he would have taken the Liverpool job if he had anticipated Edwards and perhaps Hughes leaving so soon after his arrival. Carragher’s assessment underscored the challenge of maintaining stability amid the ongoing changes in leadership, a challenge that the club will have to navigate as they seek to balance ambition with the realities of a shifting structure at the top.