Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp revealed he has spoken with Michael Edwards, but that the former Sporting Director did not ask him to stay on as manager.
The pair worked closely together from Klopp’s arrival until Edwards left the club at the end of the FA and Carabao Cup-winning 2021/22 season.
The club confirmed this week that Edwards will return to the club as owners FSG’s CEO of Football.
Klopp, who announced in January he would be stepping down from his position at the end of this season, said Edwards was “not dumb” when asked whether his former colleague had tried to convince him not to leave.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow night’s Europa League second leg clash, he said: “That was not a subject to talk about to be honest.
“Can you imagine if I changed my mind? Can you?
“Of course not, I cannot say what I said… it would be like [when I said] ‘never, ever another club in England’ and next year signed for our neighbours or whoever needs a coach.
“I don’t say these things without thinking before.”
On the broader topic of Edwards’ new role within FSG, which he will begin in June, the German believes that it is a smart move.
He said: “Now he’s back I’m really happy. I’ve said a few times I want to see the club in the best possible place after I leave.
“I think it’s a top solution, top solution. Our conversation was obviously great.
“We spoke about a lot of things, about what I think about different things, players, [the] situation at the club because I was in all the time while he was not in.”
The departure of Klopp and his backroom staff signals a huge transition within the club’s football operations, which Edwards will oversee alongside his role spearheading FSG’s ambitions to enter the world of multi-club ownership.
(Picture by Alamy Images under agreed licence)
