It's recently come out in the press that Edwards informed FSG of his intention to leave last Autumn. Which means that this recent announcement is making waves outside of the club, but would barely be noticed inside - where it actually matters.
I think everyone is getting nervous at the seeming lack of transfer links and the slow start to the window, but this story is just noise.
Agree that Edwards' departure isn't surprising. During the 2024-25 season, the media covered the failed pursuits of Bordeaux, Getafe & Malaga. Edwards didn't need longer than a year of "evaluation" to decide to move on. A 2nd club was all about reducing cost & increasing benefits of "squad acquisition and development". FSG seem to be relying on a bigger investment in loans + academy as the more cost-effective alternative. You don't need a leader of Edwards' talent for that.
Given his strong relationship with Gordon (& the terms of his contract), Edwards probably stayed to assist with decisions regarding a "2nd transition". This 2nd transition is what should worry us as it's a massive change - in sporting director, manager, players & game model. We pivot from Hughes to an unproven Ward or Woodfine. Same with Iraola. Same with a new game model. All with a continuously changing team and squad, most of whom underperformed last season. Buckle up!
he'll never be on a banner, or get a statue, but i'd like a permanent exhibit at AXA where you can tour Edward's old office, and watch holograms recreating him firing Brendo, selling Beneteke, showing Klopp a data sheet on Salah, signing days with Mane, Bobby, Virg, and Alisson, get all the hits in.
no matter how you split the blame/credit pie the post klopp times have been volatile yet have lead to a PL trophy, an understandable step back year still ending with champ's league football, 3 absolute top class players brought in for prices that look affordable today, and a shift to a new coach i'm pretty excited to get behind. can't think of any other transition from LEGEND status managers that has gone this well even with the hurdles, and misses of the current regime.
I’d say the transition was successful, but there’s now a high level of uncertainty with him and Hughes leaving. It feels like there’s no clear direction for Liverpool this summer in terms of squad building and recruitment. I don’t know what our transfer strategy is. Are we blending youth and senior players? Are we bringing more players in—and if so, what kind? Is Mike Gordon handling transfers right now really the most sensible approach? James Pearce mentioned that we’ve concluded our transfer plans; all that remains is to execute, but that hasn’t happened yet.
I have little concern about which suit takes the helm. I’m more concerned about what they’ll do once they’re in charge. As it stands, we’ll be relying heavily on the coach’s ability to get the best out of the squad—similar to what Slot faced in their first season.
Let’s see how it all plays out, but as I think about the future of the club, I’m more pessimistic than optimistic heading into the new season and beyond.
Iy sounds ominous when Edwards ups and leaves; however, like you, I find it unsurprising. He wanted a new challenge, and FSG failed to supply it. Yet again, your finer points are always illuminating. Thanks, Josh!
When the dust settles, we go again. Whatever the suits decide, we'll have Josh to make sense of it all. I'm left with a vision of Klopp on a rider mower, and an Erdinger in the cup holder.
There’s no story for the media in an expected departure, it’s got to be upheaval, uncertainty, turmoil. As Edwards said, the transfer plans are laid, the club has to get them over the line, always difficult in a World Cup year. And the new guy has to run the rule over what is already at the club. No panic.
The real question will be if we can find the NEXT Edwards; someone who can convince people to play for your club drive a hard price selling players, and be open to modernisation or other change to improve decision making. It kinda feels as though the likes of Brentford, Brighton and Bornemouth have successfully applied the previous (Edwards / Graham) model at clubs where they can guarantee more playing time and less pressure against the armchair / internet pundits all the big clubs fan bases (sadly) accumulate.
Is there some sort of 21st century cloud server / AI version of the suits?
Michael Spreadsheets had long since served his purpose. His list of things to do when he came into work in the morning contained zero items. As such, I hope none of his substantial costs over the last two years finds its way onto LFC's profit and loss account.
His job was to bring Hughes in and add Deportivo Cold Feet to FSG's footie empire. Once they changed their mind, he was effectively made redundant.
There is absolutely nothing to be concerned about. Amazingly, football clubs have had Director of Football positions for decades. And I'm pretty sure every club uses data, some even better than Edwards and his Pompey Mafia.
But for those who are worried, never fear, it has been announced with much fanfare that 'Super Mike' Gordon has agreed to cover Michael Spreadsheets' duties. Way to go, Mike. I don't know how you do it. You're an absolute legend, doing your own paperclip person stuff AND covering the duties of a man who does absolutely nothing. Incredible. They'll surely put up a bronze statue of 'Super Mike' Gordon outside FSG Soccerball Stadium one day.
I've no major issue with Edwards or Hughes leaving. Ultimately, someone else will come in and do those jobs. Isn't it odd though that Slot was sacked by people who were never intending to stay beyond the summer themselves? I'm slightly confused by that and it makes me wonder if Slot did in fact walk.
I think regardless of them leaving, they can still give their professional opinion. I’d imagine the final decision was probably made by FSG themselves. Mike Gordon, Billy Hogan etc.
I actually don't think it's that odd tbh. Regardless of whether they're leaving in the coming months, they're still employed to make decisions. That's supposed to be what they specialise in. At the same time, I do think there's a chance Slot half wanted to leave having been warned about the summer we seem to be having right now.
It's recently come out in the press that Edwards informed FSG of his intention to leave last Autumn. Which means that this recent announcement is making waves outside of the club, but would barely be noticed inside - where it actually matters.
I think everyone is getting nervous at the seeming lack of transfer links and the slow start to the window, but this story is just noise.
Agree that Edwards' departure isn't surprising. During the 2024-25 season, the media covered the failed pursuits of Bordeaux, Getafe & Malaga. Edwards didn't need longer than a year of "evaluation" to decide to move on. A 2nd club was all about reducing cost & increasing benefits of "squad acquisition and development". FSG seem to be relying on a bigger investment in loans + academy as the more cost-effective alternative. You don't need a leader of Edwards' talent for that.
Given his strong relationship with Gordon (& the terms of his contract), Edwards probably stayed to assist with decisions regarding a "2nd transition". This 2nd transition is what should worry us as it's a massive change - in sporting director, manager, players & game model. We pivot from Hughes to an unproven Ward or Woodfine. Same with Iraola. Same with a new game model. All with a continuously changing team and squad, most of whom underperformed last season. Buckle up!
Common sense as usual, thank you!
he'll never be on a banner, or get a statue, but i'd like a permanent exhibit at AXA where you can tour Edward's old office, and watch holograms recreating him firing Brendo, selling Beneteke, showing Klopp a data sheet on Salah, signing days with Mane, Bobby, Virg, and Alisson, get all the hits in.
no matter how you split the blame/credit pie the post klopp times have been volatile yet have lead to a PL trophy, an understandable step back year still ending with champ's league football, 3 absolute top class players brought in for prices that look affordable today, and a shift to a new coach i'm pretty excited to get behind. can't think of any other transition from LEGEND status managers that has gone this well even with the hurdles, and misses of the current regime.
I’d say the transition was successful, but there’s now a high level of uncertainty with him and Hughes leaving. It feels like there’s no clear direction for Liverpool this summer in terms of squad building and recruitment. I don’t know what our transfer strategy is. Are we blending youth and senior players? Are we bringing more players in—and if so, what kind? Is Mike Gordon handling transfers right now really the most sensible approach? James Pearce mentioned that we’ve concluded our transfer plans; all that remains is to execute, but that hasn’t happened yet.
I have little concern about which suit takes the helm. I’m more concerned about what they’ll do once they’re in charge. As it stands, we’ll be relying heavily on the coach’s ability to get the best out of the squad—similar to what Slot faced in their first season.
Let’s see how it all plays out, but as I think about the future of the club, I’m more pessimistic than optimistic heading into the new season and beyond.
Iy sounds ominous when Edwards ups and leaves; however, like you, I find it unsurprising. He wanted a new challenge, and FSG failed to supply it. Yet again, your finer points are always illuminating. Thanks, Josh!
When the dust settles, we go again. Whatever the suits decide, we'll have Josh to make sense of it all. I'm left with a vision of Klopp on a rider mower, and an Erdinger in the cup holder.
There’s no story for the media in an expected departure, it’s got to be upheaval, uncertainty, turmoil. As Edwards said, the transfer plans are laid, the club has to get them over the line, always difficult in a World Cup year. And the new guy has to run the rule over what is already at the club. No panic.
The real question will be if we can find the NEXT Edwards; someone who can convince people to play for your club drive a hard price selling players, and be open to modernisation or other change to improve decision making. It kinda feels as though the likes of Brentford, Brighton and Bornemouth have successfully applied the previous (Edwards / Graham) model at clubs where they can guarantee more playing time and less pressure against the armchair / internet pundits all the big clubs fan bases (sadly) accumulate.
Is there some sort of 21st century cloud server / AI version of the suits?
Pretty much what Josh said.
Michael Spreadsheets had long since served his purpose. His list of things to do when he came into work in the morning contained zero items. As such, I hope none of his substantial costs over the last two years finds its way onto LFC's profit and loss account.
His job was to bring Hughes in and add Deportivo Cold Feet to FSG's footie empire. Once they changed their mind, he was effectively made redundant.
There is absolutely nothing to be concerned about. Amazingly, football clubs have had Director of Football positions for decades. And I'm pretty sure every club uses data, some even better than Edwards and his Pompey Mafia.
But for those who are worried, never fear, it has been announced with much fanfare that 'Super Mike' Gordon has agreed to cover Michael Spreadsheets' duties. Way to go, Mike. I don't know how you do it. You're an absolute legend, doing your own paperclip person stuff AND covering the duties of a man who does absolutely nothing. Incredible. They'll surely put up a bronze statue of 'Super Mike' Gordon outside FSG Soccerball Stadium one day.
I've no major issue with Edwards or Hughes leaving. Ultimately, someone else will come in and do those jobs. Isn't it odd though that Slot was sacked by people who were never intending to stay beyond the summer themselves? I'm slightly confused by that and it makes me wonder if Slot did in fact walk.
I think regardless of them leaving, they can still give their professional opinion. I’d imagine the final decision was probably made by FSG themselves. Mike Gordon, Billy Hogan etc.
I actually don't think it's that odd tbh. Regardless of whether they're leaving in the coming months, they're still employed to make decisions. That's supposed to be what they specialise in. At the same time, I do think there's a chance Slot half wanted to leave having been warned about the summer we seem to be having right now.