Jurgen Klopp is expected to be handed greater power away from the pitch at Liverpool over the coming months, according to reports.
Klopp recently signed a contract extension until June 2026 and the deal has further enhanced his power at the club he joined in October 2015 to take over from Brendan Rodgers. He said at the time he was “delighted, humbled, blessed, privileged and excited” to commit his future to Liverpool – and it seems the club are happy to keep him happy by giving him greater sway over decisions.
The Sun reports that the departure of sporting director Michael Edwards is a significant step at Liverpool. Edwards has been hugely influential at Liverpool over the past 11 years. He has held the roles of head of analytics, director of technical performance, technical director and sporting director and established a stellar reputation.
Edwards assumed the role of sporting director in November 2016 – a year after Klopp arrived – and formed a strong working relationship with the German manager. His departure has seen his former deputy, Julian Ward, step up to fill the job and, although he is also respected behind the scenes, he will reportedly give Klopp more control.
The report states that, before signing a new deal in April, Klopp sought assurances from the club’s hierarchy that they would back him in the coming transfer windows, with players like Sadio Mane, Divock Origi and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain set to leave. He was also keen to reduce the length of pre-season tours, because he believes they are not a helpful way of preparing his side for a long campaign.
Liverpool are obliged to visit Asia this summer due to an agreement with sponsors Standard Chartered, but Klopp has succeeded in reducing the summer trip to just six days. Liverpool play Manchester United in Thailand’s capital Bangkok on July 12 and then take on Crystal Palace in Singapore on July 15.
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The promotion of Ward to take over Edwards’ role was met with widespread agreement last year. He has been with the club for some time, working as loan pathways and football partnerships manager for five years before becoming Edwards’ assistant.
"I think it is entirely fitting that the person to take over from me is Julian Ward,” Edwards said in his leaving statement. “As was the case with myself, I doubt you will hear much from him. But on this occasion I will speak on his behalf in the knowledge what I have to say will be greeted with widespread agreement by everyone who has come across him both inside and outside the club."
He added: "Julian and Jurgen have a very good relationship and moving forward I am confident that they will bring the club more success."
