Liverpool have confirmed the appointment of Michael Edwards as the club’s new sporting director.
Edwards is promoted from his role as technical director and will oversee transfer and contract negotiations.
A club statement reads:
The 37-year-old is being promoted into a newly-created role as part of a restructuring of the football operations. Edwards will now lead the club’s overall football development, including player identification, acquisitions, sales and retention, as well as taking primary responsibility for reviewing and implementing improvements to the training ground environment and infrastructure.
The move has been welcomed by Jürgen Klopp, who has praised Edwards’ contribution and influence in helping to assemble the current playing set-up within the first team, development squad and Academy.
Ensuring the club remains an industry leader in providing a clear pathway from the younger age groups to the first-team squad is another key responsibility contained within the remit.
Commenting on the appointment, Jurgen Klopp said:
“This decision is hugely positive for us and it will make us better and stronger in managing the process of building and retaining playing talent at all age groups. Development is so important and it makes sense to have a position, within the football structure specifically, that focuses on where we can improve.
“It’s no secret I like the concept of a sporting director and having worked under this model previously I have found it to be nothing but positive and forward-thinking.
“Michael is absolutely the right person for this. He has the knowledge, expertise and personality to flourish in the role and I was delighted when he told me he would be accepting the position.
“Importantly, he also has a fantastic team of people around him, who have all played a significant role in putting together the talent we currently have in the first team, development squad and at even younger age levels.”
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