Liverpool: Michael Edwards agrees return to lead search for successor to Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool’s former sporting director Michael Edwards has agreed to return to Anfield to oversee the post-Jurgen Klopp era.

Edwards will head football operations and will immediately be tasked with recruiting a successor to Klopp and appointing a new sporting director.

Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso is the frontrunner to take over from Klopp.

Bournemouth technical director Richard Hughes is favourite for the sporting director vacancy, a position Edwards gave up in 2022 after 10 years as one of the most influential figures in an acclaimed recruitment team.

Edwards was credited with playing a major role in the success that saw the Reds win the Premier League and Champions League. He identified Klopp to replace Brendan Rodgers in 2015 and helped bring in signings such as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Alisson and Virgil van Dijk.

Luring the 44-year-old back to Liverpool is a coup for owners FSG and ends months of talks.