Michael Edwards to depart Liverpool sporting director role next summer with Julian Ward named as replacement

The influential Edwards will leave when his contract expires at the end of the season, with his assistant stepping up

Michael Edwards will step down as Liverpool’s sporting director at the end of the season, the Reds have confirmed.

Edwards, one of the most influential figures at Anfield and an integral part of the club’s recent success, will depart when his contract expires in the summer - despite repeated efforts from Fenway Sports Group, the club’s owners, to persuade him to stay.

He will be replaced by Julian Ward, who was promoted to the role of assistant sporting director last year and is seen as the ideal successors.