Michael Edwards 'frustrated' by FSG plans as Liverpool owners make U-turn

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FSG CEO of football, Michael Edwards, is said to be 'frustrated' by the Liverpool owners seemingly moving away from the multi-club model, which was a key reason for his return

Barry Hunter, Julian Ward, Michael Edwards, Richard Hughes and David Woodfine pose for a photograph with the Premier League trophy.(Image: Nikki Dyer - Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Michael Edwards, who returned to work with FSG as CEO of football in 2024, is said to be 'frustrated' by the Liverpool ownership group's slow progress on acquiring a second soccer club.

It has been reported by The Athletic that after possible deals for Bordeaux, Malaga and Getafe didn't lead to anything — in addition to the option of having a minority stake in AS Monaco being explored, as well as research on 20 or so other teams on top of that — FSG has cooled its interest in moving towards a multi-club model.

It it risk-averse and wants the situation to be as close to perfect as possible before it gives the green light to invest and move forward with the project, with no such candidate emerging to date.

When Edwards returned to work with FSG, a key part of his remit was going to be identifying — and eventually running — a second team alongside the likes of Julian Ward and Pedro Marques.

It was thought this was a key appeal for the 46-year-old in coming back to work with the Anfield side. He also had interest from the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.

"One of the biggest factors in my decision is the commitment to acquire and oversee an additional club, growing this area of their organization," Edwards said two years ago.

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes and FSG's CEO of football Michael Edwards(Image: Getty Images)

"I believe that to remain competitive, investment and expansion of the current football portfolio is necessary."

In the report from The Athletic, it is said that the impasse has frustrated Edwards. So far, the groundwork on the project has not come to fruition for a variety of reasons.

A move to acquire a stake in Monaco would have been complicated due to a lack of clarity from UEFA over whether both the Ligue 1 side and Liverpool could play in the Champions League at the same time.

Bordeaux, meanwhile, was a potential investment that only had a very short time period in which to complete due diligence due to the French side's dire economic situation. It has since been relegated to the fourth tier.

Liverpool returns to Premier League action this weekend with a trip to Brighton, needing the points to cement itself in contention for the Champions League spots.

There has been no movement on the addition of another soccer club to the FSG roster since December and more speculation has emerged this week linking sporting director Richard Hughes with a move to Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.

Edwards, Hughes and Arne Slot will all only have one year left on their contracts this summer.