Former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards has reportedly turned down an offer to join ’s backroom staff.
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Following Todd Boehly’s takeover of the Blues earlier this year, the new owner has removed almost all of the executive team that Roman Abramovich had appointed, with Boehly himself taking the position of chairman and interim sporting director.
Chelsea will likely appoint someone full-time after the summer transfer window closes on September 1 but one person who will not be taking the job is Edwards who, according to , has turned down the opportunity.
He has been heavily sought after at Stamford Bridge throughout the summer but is said to have informed Boehly and co. that he intends to take some time out away from football.
Edwards joined Liverpool in November 2011 as head of analytics before becoming the club’s first sporting director in 2016, overseeing the appointment of Jurgen Klopp and the Reds’ great success in the transfer market and indeed on the pitch.
During his time at Anfield, he signed the likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Andy Robertson, with the club winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup.
Last November he announced he would be leaving his role after a decade at Liverpool.
In the meantime, Chelsea still have just over two weeks left to conclude their transfer business, with Boehly enduring a decent first summer in charge of the West London side.
So far, they have signed Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Marc Cucurella, Carney Chukwuemeka and Gabriel Solina for a combined £168million, while they are linked with many other notable players including Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong and Everton winger Anthony Gordon.
Boehly also needs to address several potential outgoings before the deadline, with Callum Hudson-Odoi, Marcos Alonso, Conor Gallagher, Armando Broja, Billy Gilmour and Kepa Arrizabalaga among those linked with loan or permanent exits.
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