Liverpool sporting director: Ex-Premier League CEO issues intriguing verdict on Michael Edwards job
Former Everton chief Keith Wyness has suggested transfer guru Michael Edwards is unlikely to return to Liverpool or any Premier League club as sporting director.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – claimed that Edwards, 44, is working on implementing his methods using artificial intelligence across a network of clubs.
Edwards enjoyed a successful six-year spell as Liverpool’s sporting director between 2016 and 2022 and has been credited with some of their best signings in the modern era.
It has been widely reported that the Merseysiders have approached him over a potential return to the club.
However, he now runs an advisory service alongside the club’s ex-director of research, Ian Graham, in which they offer their data skills and experience to ownership groups and teams, including in other sports.
The Anfield club are on the hunt for a new transfer chief following Jorg Schmadtke’s exit after the end of the January transfer window.
Ex-Everton chief weighs in on potential Michael Edwards return as sporting director at Liverpool
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “Data came to the fore with Michael Edwards and Liverpool in the last five, six, or maybe more years.
“It’s now being refined to an extent that even clubs without the big resources can access the right kind of information.
“I’ve heard Edwards doesn’t want to come back, even with Liverpool on the hunt for a new sporting director.
“He’s the exact sort of person who will be using data, using AI and working to create a network many clubs can feed off.
“He’s developing the kind of product I’m talking about, which will benefit multiple clubs.
“Liverpool will go out and get a young, bright guy from elsewhere – I’m sure.”
Football Insider revealed on Tuesday (21 February) that Liverpool are planning to informally approach Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes.
A well-placed source has told Football Insider that the Reds plan to appoint a sporting director before making a final decision on installing a new manager to replace the outgoing Jurgen Klopp.
In other news, Liverpool top Premier League charts as uncovered documents reveal £113million payout.
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