Michael Edwards’ unexpected exit from Liverpool this weekend has sent a portion of supporters into a panic about the current state of the club.
The Reds have been a bit of a mess off the field ever since Edwards first departed in 2022, and with on-field performances now matching the chaos behind the scenes, there is some cause to be concerned.
The end of Edwards’ initial stint as sporting director gave way to a period of upheaval at sporting director level, seeing Julian Ward, Jorg Schmadtke and now Richard Hughes take the job for now more than two years.
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Back in 2023, with Ward departing and Liverpool debating what to do next, Schmadtke eventually arrived to assist Jurgen Klopp in the Reds’ summer window. In the meantime, the Reds were reportedly looking at hiring former Monaco sporting director Paul Mitchell, who is once again available after leaving Newcastle in 2025.
While with the Magpies Mitchell was one of the key figures in annoying Alexander Isak, having been the man who refused to follow through on promises over the Swede’s new contract. As Liverpool once again prepare to fill their sporting director position when Hughes exits, Isak will be desperate not to see Mitchell follow him to Anfield.
Liverpool must stay away from Paul Mitchell
Though he was once – and likely still is – a very highly thought of sporting director, Mitchell did not exactly deliver at Newcastle.
The Magpies are in a far worse state than Liverpool right now. After watching Isak leave last year, Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali have now followed him, with captain Bruno Guimaraes also pushing for a move to Arsenal.
READ MORE: Why Liverpool fans do not need to panic about Michael Edwards leaving FSG during the transfer window
Not all of that can be laid at Mitchell’s door, obviously, but it is clear that the 44-year-old is no longer the mythical figure he was once seen as.
It will be fascinating to see what Liverpool do next once Hughes’ exit is confirmed.
There is a line of thinking that current assistant sporting director David Woodfine is being groomed to take over, and that would make sense given what the Reds have done previously.
But if they do decide to go for an outside hire, his history with Isak in particular makes Mitchell a no-go.
Who should Liverpool look to instead?
Over recent years, sporting directors have become almost as famous as the managers they hire and fire.
Edwards absolutely epitomised the culture of the celebrity sporting director, and his success under Klopp led to the spotlight being shone on others in England and across Europe.
As Michael Edwards leaves Liverpool for a second time, rank these 10 signings from most to least important in the Reds’ recent success
He was PIVOTAL in bringing some big names to Anfield
- Sadio Mane
- Gini Wijnaldum
- Andy Robertson
- Mohamed Salah
- Virgil van Dijk
- Alisson Becker
- Fabinho
- Diogo Jota
- Thiago Alcantara
- Ibrahima Konate
One of those who appears to have been doing a fine job is Eintracht Frankfurt’s Markus Krosche.
Krosche was also linked with Liverpool before they even hired Schmadtke in 2023, and the German may perhaps come under consideration once again.
Woodfine feels like the most likely option, but as he is clearly unproven in the top job, and does not exactly have a stellar track record as Hughes’ assistant, Liverpool should consider another approach.
Isak will certainly be hoping that that does not lead his new team to the man who forged his exit from his old one in Mitchell.
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