​Michael Edwards has stepped down from his role as chief executive officer of Fenway Sports Group, leaving Liverpool in a fragile position. He grew increasingly disillusioned with FSG’s lack of progress in securing a second European club for the group, a frustration that led him to signal his intention to depart last autumn. Edwards has now formally submitted his resignation, leaving two years into a three-year contract with the organization.
FSG president Mike Gordon will assume greater day-to-day oversight of Liverpool as the club could not persuade Edwards to stay, according to The Mirror. Edwards played a pivotal part in assembling the squad that enabled Jurgen Klopp to deliver Liverpool’s first Premier League title in 2020 and had helped secure the UEFA Champions League title a year earlier; his departure is therefore seen as a setback for the club.
FSG initially brought him back in a more elevated role, but Edwards has chosen to leave after the organization did not achieve the forward motion they had hoped for with their broader objectives. In a statement, Edwards said: “It has been a privilege to return to Fenway Sports Group and Liverpool Football Club at such an important moment. I leave believing Liverpool is in a strong position, with outstanding people, a clear direction and the foundations in place for continued success. When I returned, I was excited not only by the opportunity to help guide Liverpool through an important period of transition, but also by the chance to help shape FSG’s wider football ambitions. While that broader project ultimately evolved differently from what we had originally envisaged, I am proud of the work our team undertook in presenting ownership with a broad range of thoughtful and well-developed options for the future. I’d like to thank Mike, John (Henry), Tom (Werner) and everyone across FSG and Liverpool for their support and friendship and, most importantly, the supporters, whose passion makes this club so special. I will always be grateful to have been part of its story.”
Edwards added that listeners could hear more on the latest episode of All Out Soccer by following the usual link. Upon his return, Edwards’s responsibilities extended beyond Liverpool to broader FSG football operations. The group examined 25 different clubs during this period, with Edwards eager to embrace a multi-club model similar to that used by Manchester City. Among the clubs considered were Getafe, Bordeaux, Toulouse and Malaga, but FSG ultimately opted not to finalize any deals. The possibility of adding a second team in the future remains open, though FSG has continued to invest heavily in Liverpool, including shattering the British transfer record twice last summer.
Liverpool has won two Premier League titles, in 2020 and 2025, with Edwards having played some role in those successes. Going forward, the club will continue its search for stability and growth under renewed leadership, as the sporting landscape around European football evolves and the expectations surrounding Liverpool’s future remain high.