Liverpool agreement announced after Newcastle United links and Chelsea & Manchester United snub

Michael Edwards is returning to Liverpool after being announced as Fenway Sports Group's new CEO of Football.

Edwards left his position as the Reds' sporting director two years ago and had recently turned down the opportunity to come back in light of Jurgen Klopp's departure at the end of the campaign.

It's understood Edwards also refused approaches from Manchester United and Chelsea but a wider role with FSG has tempted 44-year-old back into football.

According to FSG, Edwards 'will assume a broad range of responsibilities including leading efforts to identify and recruit new leadership for Liverpool's football operation, and supporting the growth of FSG in global football through additional investment and acquisition'.

One of Edwards' first jobs will be to appoint a new sporting director, which is likely to be Richard Hughes, who is leaving his position as technical director at AFC Bournemouth this summer.

“Michael is one of the most formidable executive talents in world football and John, Tom, and I are absolutely thrilled to have secured his services for our business,” said FSG President Mike Gordon. “He returns to us in a role with greater seniority than he held previously and with a wider remit.

"It was clear when we initially reached out to him that a broader scope would be a key motivating factor for any potential return to the industry. In this regard – and many others – his ambitions matched ours."

Edwards, who previously spent over a decade at Anfield, played a key role in building the squad that won Liverpool's first Premier League title in 2020 and the Champions League in 2019 while signing the likes of Alisson, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.

“I am very grateful to Mike, John, Tom and the ownership group for offering me the opportunity to take on this new leadership role within FSG,” Edwards said. “I was humbled by the desire and persistence they showed in wanting to work with me again. This is definitely not something that I take for granted given their track record across sport and business.

“It was vital for me that, if I did return, it had to be with renewed vigour and energy. In practice, this means having fresh challenges and opportunities. As such, one of the biggest factors in my decision is the commitment to acquire and oversee an additional club, growing this area of their organisation. I believe that to remain competitive, investment and expansion of the current football portfolio is necessary.

“With Liverpool F.C., I will oversee the required reinforcement of football operations, with a number of essential leadership positions needing urgent attention. I know from personal experience what a wonderful job Mike Gordon has done with day-to-day oversight on behalf of his fellow owners.

"Going forward I’m looking forward to working with FSG’s Board of Managers. Also, in assuming this role, I fully understand that it comes with great expectations,and I therefore intend to identify, hire, and subsequently empower leaders who meet and embody the club’s values and ambitions.

“Having served the club previously I need no reminder of how much emotional investment is made by supporters in the city itself, as well as across the U.K. and the world. I am looking forward to getting started.”

Both Edwards and Hughes, who worked with Eddie Howe on the South Coast, had been linked with Newcastle United since Dan Ashworth was placed on gardening leave last month. Ashworth wants to join Manchester United but a compensation package is yet to be agreed. The Magpies demanded an initial figure of £20million.