Liverpool should not seek multi-club ownership after new football chief executive Michael Edwards indicated his excitement about controlling another entity at Anfield, according to commentator Kevin Hatchard.
The Reds recently appointed Edwards, the club’s former sporting director, to handle football operations following a turbulent summer on Merseyside.
Liverpool’s most crucial challenge will be to find a replacement for Jurgen Klopp, who has announced his departure from the club at the end of the 2023/24 season due to a lack of energy. The Premier League giants are still in the title chase and might add the Europa League and FA Cup to their trophy cabinet, in addition to the Carabao Cup, by the end of the season.
Edwards is excited about a possible multi-club concept at Liverpool.
The former sporting director will play a key role at Anfield.
On Tuesday, The Times’ Paul Joyce announced that Edwards has agreed to return to Liverpool as chief executive of football. The 44-year-old initially left Anfield after deciding to stand down from his post as sporting director in the summer of 2022.
Edwards will take over as Liverpool’s day-to-day football decision maker, succeeding Mike Gordon. The Englishman has previously turned down offers from Chelsea and Manchester United and has been tasked with identifying a second club from which the Reds may recruit international players. Edwards will also oversee a’restructure’ of the club’s football hierarchy.
Speaking about his intention to return, Edwards stated that the opportunity to “acquire and oversee” another club was a big factor in him taking on the new post at Liverpool (via James Pearce):
“One of the most important considerations in my decision was the pledge to acquire and manage another club. I feel that in order to remain competitive, we must invest in and expand our current football portfolio.”
However, Kevin Hatchard, who is frequently heard on Sky Sports, has stated that he was enthusiastic about Edwards’ return to Liverpool until he learned of the desire for a multi-club strategy. The pundit believes that this should be avoided at all costs in football ownership. Hatchard posted on X, saying:
“I was very happy about Edwards returning to #lfc until I read this. Multi-club ownership should be avoided at all costs, and as a supporter, I do not want Liverpool participating in it.”
Edwards’ future steps at Liverpool following arrival
The Reds’ owner apparently has a sporting director lined up.
Liverpool also needs to replace sporting director Jorg Schmadtke, who left Anfield at the end of the 2024 winter transfer window. According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Edwards’ initial objective could be to hire Richard Hughes in the post. The 44-year-old has announced that he would leave his current role as technical director at AFC Bournemouth at the end of the 2023/24 season.
