Why Liverpool's Sporting Director Is The BEST In The Premier League! | Explained

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Three Champions League finals in five years, three seasons accruing over 90 points in the Premier League, going toe-to-toe with an era defining Pep Guardiola side and securing the club’s first title in 30 years, it’s fair to say Jürgen Klopp has built one of Liverpool’s greatest ever teams, one that will serve as a benchmark for great English sides of the future.
But while the German coach has cemented his legendary status by taking the Reds back to the top of the game, another, much lesser-known figure has also been equally influential in the club’s success. Had it not been for the club’s sporting director Michael Edwards, Klopp may never have been hired by Liverpool in the first place, and yet in 2020, the year that they finally got their hands back on the league title, Daniel Taylor wrote in the Athletic that “he can still walk around Anfield without anybody recognising him.”
He is finally leaving Merseyside this summer, almost 11 years after he was first hired as an analyst, leaving behind a glittering legacy and capping off his tenure with one of the most impressive campaigns in the club’s history.
But how did Edwards become such a trusted and powerful figure within the Liverpool hierarchy? And what has been the secret to his success? On today’s FD Explained, we’re taking a trip to Melwood.
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[@jw4602]

Michael Edward’s greatest signing will always be Jurgen Klopp, the best in Liverpool’s modern era.

[@jackjones3703]

Klopp actually says Mona is his only world class signing

[@ronnynoneofyourbusinessgoo7892]

Exactly, these players would playing mostly crap had they joined Man United. Sancho would have exploded at Liverpool, Pogba probably too.

[@ronnynoneofyourbusinessgoo7892]

Coutinho, Can or Wijnaldum all deteriorated hugely in the years after leaving against Klopps explicit wishes (it wasn't like with Divi or others where he was "okay I see it"). Klopp didn't want these 3 to leave and they would have all gotten better, not worse, had they stayed. So it's not about the transfers as much as people assume. ynwa

[@OscarPtr]

@@ronnynoneofyourbusinessgoo7892 I still think wijnaldum would of done alright if he went to Barca instead of psg

[@nickraoyj]

Which means Michael Edwards himself is Liverpool's greatest signing.

[@mika274]

PSG basically broke the system, Liverpool and Bayern in some ways brought the system back to reality

[@robertseymour1432]

no chelsea did

[@madmullah2937]

@S-22 ★ Oil club ? And the rest of the clubs are owned by poor men ,right? Stfu fan boy

[@FadiKdy]

@S-22 ★ I think he meant that Chelsea broke the system not PSG

[@left_eye]

U mean psg n la liga clubs

[@redd605]

I agree , it's more the wages than the transfer , mostly , there is few less 90+ million deals . If Liverpool go for Bellingham next season probably , he is the one.there would do it for.

[@jamesodowd4063]

Fun fact, Rodgers didn't want sturridge and wouldn't sign firmino without benteke. Guess the transfer committee had better idea than him

[@12thMandalorian]

And now Leicester are realising he will bring early success but long term mediocrity

[@manofapril2657]

Cause benteke showed great characters😜

[@Do27gg]

Tbf Benteke was a beast before we signed him

[@jamesodowd4063]

@@Do27gg at Aston villa where the team was geared around him and them fighting off relegation each year (don't hold that against him) but for Liverpool we needed to get in top 4 at the time and he simply wouldn't do that for us imo

[@Do27gg]

@@jamesodowd4063 I agree he didn’t really suit our play but you can say someone like robbo or mane were a top 4 signing, it was a risk that didn’t pay off

[@Soybean13]

That dude sold Jordan Ibe to Bournemouth for 16 mil and brewster to sehfield for 23 mil, that's straight up scam lmao

[@alonewithmythoughts5035]

😂

[@mr.gullible2506]

How do some of the top clubs see the success Liverpool has had with signings and not try and replicate it. It’s mind boggling. Like I get edwards is fantastic at what he does and it’s difficult to do the same but sides like Man U seem to give almost no thought into analysis

[@happinessismychemical667]

United give plenty of analysis but it's for marketing and not actual results on the pitch. They pursued Sancho for two seasons and while I think he'll eventually come good his style of play was the complete opposite of uniteds wingers that were at the time doing OK under Ole. Maguire was brought in purely cuz he's English. Van de Beek was brought in as a marketable name. United buy players to sell shirts not win games

[@Swan94y]

Success? Id hardly call it success

[@globglogabgalab2531]

United give it more analysis than we do (arsenal) nowadays

[@globglogabgalab2531]

71 million for a bench warmer in Pepe and so many more pointless spends

[@jean-paulwalters8855]

@@happinessismychemical667 VDB was recommended by Van Der Sar

[@vjzapp]

Yes! And I can’t explain how much I respect this man as a Liverpool fan! Thank you for everything Michael Edward! You are a Liverpool legend! #YNWA 👍🏻

[@bentarbuck6161]

great video! i love videos that look at people you wouldnt immediately jump to. i'd love to see a career vid paul mitchell at Monaco and thats only like 45% because he came through at wigan

[@siroswaldfortitude5346]

The 'Hands off' clause, that Edwards inserted into the sale of Couts to Barca was a masterstroke.

[@dabisset7900]

what did it say?

[@siroswaldfortitude5346]

@@dabisset7900 It made it harder for Barca to buy any more Liverpool players for an agreed period of time

[@dabisset7900]

@@siroswaldfortitude5346 cool thanks

[@siroswaldfortitude5346]

@@dabisset7900 you're welcome

[@CoIumbo]

Great video guys, been looking to find out more about this guy

[@meznehemia]

Well done. Succinct summary of Liverpool's data driven research on decision making. A lesson for leaders of all levels.

[@kikobautista2564]

Imagine if Spurs had given Edwards the same platform while he was there. Smh.

[@jairusfukiau1239]

I don’t think it’s entirely down to Edward’s he a good negotiator and had a good record but I think it’s more of the other back room staff and the improvement in the manager because pre Klopp there were a lot of stinkers

[@Nick-nf8wz]

@@jairusfukiau1239 yeah but we also started buying different players. Like would we ever buy players like balotelli today? We stick to players with minimal attitude or celebrity status to protect squad harmony

[@jairusfukiau1239]

@@Nick-nf8wz Thats down to the manager like I Brendan wanted him Klopp and his team coming in and giving advice is the most key difference like Diaz Klopp told them to buy Diaz that’s what the athletic reported but I’m not taking away from Edward’s as he’s a great negotiator and structures deals well

[@VeryVeryBigJ]

Maybe I am out of touch but what does smh mean?!

[@proteinsheikh5892]

@@VeryVeryBigJ shake my head

[@imran7614]

coming home , coming home welcome back legend,

[@damianmonzillo6058]

Great video great channel! Thank You!

[@MrCheegz]

The best transfer operators in the game are Bayern and Liverpool. Look at Kimmich and Robertson as examples

[@hh2martinez651]

For me Klopp: Mané, Van Dijk, Keita, Fabinho, Minamino, Tsimikas, Thiago. Edwards: Matip, Salah, Chamberlain, Robertson, Alisson, Jota, Konaté.

[@timsmith1323]

Didn’t Julian Ward mainly do the Diaz deal? I thought it was pretty much all his work

[@danielruud224]

@@timsmith1323 no, they worked it together, with Edward's starting it and Ward closing it

[@danielruud224]

Van dijk, fabinho, tsimikas, thiago, minamino and keïta were all Edwards suggestions. Mané was suggested by both parties after Klopp had been impressed with him whilst he was at dortmund.

[@timsmith1323]

@@danielruud224 ok thanks for the clarification 👍

[@elitesalesman]

just watch money ball movie it explains how fsg group head John Henry's approach of data analysis started

[@tukkakamchi3122]

Im more upset about Edwards leaving liverpool than any other players or managers leaving.

[@colmf5804]

And now he’s back !!

[@rezaesmaili10]

Very good

[@Simplara]

Rodgers never wanted Balotelli or Lambert, he was told that when they sell Suarez he would get Alexis Sanchez in return.. didnt turn out that way tho

[@marianchicago4002]

I am very surprised Michael Edwards hasn’t been scooped up by Newcastle yet, or maybe Dortmund, Leipzeg, Arsenal.

[@7012r]

Edwards leaving won't stop Liverpool brilliance at signing. It's not one man job, there's system behind it

[@joelpedder6677]

This is why I'm learning how to code.

[@-ade_adesoye1]

Michael Edwards is GOATED

[@alanhansen3230]

Does Jordan Henderson ever stop playing with his hair?!? 😂

[@left_eye]

Basically all England player lol. Mount, grealish also

[@alanhansen3230]

@@left_eye Good call with the other two. Funny thing is all 3 have terrible haircuts yet they think they look the dogs nuts.... Being a barber for over 25 years I can look at their haircuts and say "Jesus!! How much did the council charge you for that bodge up job!?!"

[@harpoon9166]

It’s pompey (Pom-Peeee) not Pompeii 😅 silly dinlo as the locals would say

[@kahocheung935]

Build a statue for Edwards please!

[@kahocheung935]

one question - does this means whichever team Edwards goes to now could one day become the next elite team?

[@kevinhanandi]

Not really, I mean if the manager doesn't work well with him (like rodgers) the result might be mediocore or even worse than before and most important thing is that the club really trust him

[@niweshlekhak9646]

@@kevinhanandi Edwards got a job in a financial firm, he is not coming to football anytime soon.

[@mutungiedmund2355]

Good

[@kartikayrane291]

Accurate

[@ridzuans3001]

Legendary Sporting Directors seems appropriate for him.

[@MarkLaw13]

He's part of the success. There's a lot of work to do on the players. Sadio Mané was specifically brought by Klopp not Michael Edwards cos he was looking to get him during his coaching at Dortmund

[@danielruud224]

He was still suggested by Edwards, Klopp just didn't need Edwards to argue for him as he already was familiar with him

[@MarkLaw13]

@@danielruud224 No.

[@danielruud224]

@@MarkLaw13 yes

[@MarkLaw13]

@@danielruud224 No, Google Mane carra. He said what happened

[@danielruud224]

@@MarkLaw13 carragher wasn't at the club at that point

[@prasannabalaji1886]

Idk why wenger signed a extension, i thought klopp gonna be joining arsenal from dortmund 😭😭😭 but suddenly wenger signed an extension. If he had retired then his legacy wouldnt have had that bad mark at the end and we would have been amazing since then

[@darthplagueis8886]

If Bayern takes Mane, you take Gnabry who´s also in the last year of its contract.

[@madeovstarstuff]

I'd rather have sane

[@Starrynova]

@Ben Lane sane was city’s best player, I remember wishing Liverpool signed him

[@darthplagueis8886]

@@madeovstarstuff Sane has a contract till 25, forget that, Gnabry till 23 and in you compare stats Gnabry have the better numbers.

[@darthplagueis8886]

@@Starrynova numbers wise Gnabry beats Sane and unlike the latter has only a year left in his contract.

[@vespasiancloscan7077]

@@Starrynova Sane wasn't City's best player, lol

[@balalrehman]

Michael Edwards both greatest manager in Liverpool FC Jurgen Klopp LFC ynwa

[@vincentamaro8671]

What analysis did Edwards use to figure out Salah was better than Brandt? Also what analysis did Edwards use to come to the conclusion that Klopp’s 2014/15 season was a perfect model for liverpool? Was it just that one analysis tool named “prozone”?

[@indianfortniter1464]

In my opinion 2 ucls in 5 years is worth more than 4 epls

[@zionhendricks7610]

mate don't jinx it

[@robinescalante6272]

@@zionhendricks7610 city will eventually get ucl's consistently as the squad after pellegrini get more experienced and clubs begin to fear city even more

[@madeovstarstuff]

Need to win it first pal

[@zionhendricks7610]

@@robinescalante6272 nah I meant jinxing liverpool for tonight 😭

[@seyned89]

I’ll be back here in a few hours 🤞

[@TaylorMade4Zero]

Please beat Madrid

[@farooqamra8765]

Where is Edward's going?

[@jw4602]

Believe a “different business challenge in his career” away from football was the reason the club gave, maybe done what he wanted in football and so looking to make bank?

[@danielruud224]

No he's going to Nice apparently. He was supposed to go to real Madrid, basically confirmed for a long time, no idea what happened there.

[@benzskyeshxc96]

there is rumours circulating among liverpool fans he going to newcastle or psg

[@ddavies1992]

Pompeii?

[@danielruud224]

portsmouth

[@ddavies1992]

@@danielruud224 yes, Pompey. Pompeii is an island located in Italy

[@tesleemhussein5217]

@@ddavies1992 oh where do we begin the rubble or our sins?

[@ddavies1992]

@@tesleemhussein5217 yeah what you said

[@petermurutu5709]

Since the Kroenke's are very frugal they should sack Edu & bring in Michael Edwards. I pray this happens.

[@SKYWalkersSG]

9:10 best juggler

[@sanskritsuthar4452]

Harry Wilson

[@MoesAk47]

10 players that Liverpool should signed . 1 Darwin Nunez 2 Jonathan David 3 Benjamin sesko 4 rayan cherki 5 Jude Bellingham 6 tchouameni 7 Florian wirtz 8 Calvin Ramsey 9 raphinha 10 Gavi

[@superseven4177]

Nunez is tesco Jota. Sesko needs more development. Cherki needs to fix everything except his skills.Wirtz is injured. The rest of them will actually be good

[@vespasiancloscan7077]

Raphinha's meh

[@thelonesoldier4518]

We getting Nunez wohoooooooooooooooooo

[@inserter400]

So why is he leaving ?

[@superseven4177]

Wants a new challenge

[@eiszdavisiozo8107]

Chelsea soon hopefully🤞

[@4Bester]

DID HE SAY POMPEII???

[@seedheechhaatee3891]

The question is where is he going?

[@DarrinHowells]

That's why I'm down here in the comments. Anyone know?

[@norringames9115]

First

[@MrBiaklian]

In the thumbnail, it says Mignolet X Alisson. I dont think Alisson was the replacement of Mignolet, Lord Karius was.

[@lohitaddagada1648]

That's why if Liverpool sign Nunez for 100m I believe it's worth it

[@haikrisna2092]

If isn't for klop liverpool will be rubishh

[@mattstevensms60]

Salah will flop if he leaves as will mane

[@aaroncaldwell4310]

I'm almost sure Rogers didn't actually want Balotelli, it was the board who pushed for it

[@madeovstarstuff]

Was Rodgers

[@liamokeefe9987]

michael oliver ***

[@timsmith1323]

??

[@moonlight_-.975]

What

[@TheGoodMedicine]

I bet he can't win against real madrid

[@shettynischith77]

Where is he going tho, that's better than Liverpool?

[@danielruud224]

Apparently Nice

[@danielruud224]

@helen raybould it was reported only a couple days ago that he is deep in negotiations and discussions with Nice in France😇 Would make some sense, it's an exciting club

[@Swan94y]

Theres a lot of better clubs out there

[@andrewsouthward2461]

@@Swan94y 😂😂😂

[@DarrinHowells]

@@Swan94y Yea, but those better clubs might not be open to the way Edwards does business. It seems to me that this style of running player acquisitions is more suited to a non-top club. They might not be able to spend like the Madrids, PSGs and ManUs out there so they are more open to running numbers to get an edge. This may allow them to close the gap on bigger richer who can better absorb bad choices in the player market.

[@jelanimoore7624]

Some over the best work I’ve ever seen not

[@DavidBond668]

What success? Being second best? They need big Stevie G in to sort them school boys out.

[@mardonicokakenya1620]

"going toe to toe with Pep" is an accomplishment 🤣🤣🤣

[@muhammadfareez]

that was quite an accomplishment because based on klopp record before lfc he was just a prodigy manager, while pep is already an establish manager that will go down in the most successful manager in history (legend figure basically)

[@c.augustedupin8860]

give me $1 billion dollar , i with my FM and fifa experience will lead my side to EPL title

[@sarminilidya9245]

Winning ucl with city is an accomplishment...uhh waitt🤣🤣