26 Apr 2026 11:13:09
Question for the Eds (and obviously welcome everyone's thoughts)
Do you think potential new managers/head coaches could be put off joining as a result of the set up behind the scenes?
If Edwards and Hughes are "interviewing" new managers and it is clear through these conversations that the two are remaining in post- I think that could put off potential first team head coaches
I know that the set up is not unfamiliar in modern day football but any manager and their agent will surely want assurances that they way they want to set up, and play, aligns with Edwards and Hughes.
Wasn't Edwards over-extending himself when Klopp was here one of the reasons he left the club before returning?
I worry that having those two in position will put off the type of manager we want, and is that now manifesting itself in more "noise" around Slot staying on next season.
{Ed001's Note - yes, simply because Edwards role is not clearly delineated. The job he was meant to be doing does not exist, so he is interfering within the club without any remit or limits on what he is involved with. That is a big red flag to anyone. It is like having one of those mad old chairmen that used to pick the teams etc. Nobody wants to work under those structures, they want to know that they can do their job without interference.}
26 Apr 2026 11:52:37
I cannot see them two letting a new manager have the run of the playing side edd1 they have to protect their positions after the fiasco of this season anywhere else they would have been sacked but there is still time for that to happen. YNWA
26 Apr 2026 11:59:19
I've given up the idea of Alonso because of Edwards and Hughes potentially staying.
I think the two muppets only leave if FSG sack them, but I don't think FSG have the balls, or maybe the understanding, to do so.
The likes of Alonso and Enrique (if he ever became available) wouldn't work under Edwards and Hughes in their current capacity, in my opinion.
My guess is we stick with Slot next season or get someone like Hoeness in. I'd take the latter as I think Slot has done all he can already and we need a change now.
26 Apr 2026 12:36:16
"I don't think FSG have the balls, or maybe the understanding, to do so."
I agree with this. I think they trust Edwards highly, hence why they bought him back in a more senior capacity.
I can't see them being close enough to the football side to over rule him on football aspects. In that regard, I think they are quite hands off.
26 Apr 2026 13:50:25
I don't know how true it is but I did read that Edwards is on 10 million a year. So, I would think one of the 2 will be leaving at least. Can't be paying out that much to someone who no longer has a job with a purpose anymore.
26 Apr 2026 13:50:27
I think the amount of business that is still required this summer is definitely one half of why they are still pumping out the "we are one" propaganda. (The other half being keeping the current squad focused on the minimum objective of CL qualification).
Not an ITK, but my money is on Slot announcing his departure by mutual consent at the end of the season, Hughes completing the summer's recruitment business before announcing his departure in September.
With Edwards, much depends on FSG's decision on multi-club. It seems they still want to do it but are not pursuing it at the moment due to economic uncertainty. However, if one of the 10s of clubs they have performed due diligence on become more financially distressed and offer an opportunity, don't rule out an acquisition.
But who knows. Maybe they all stay. Maybe they all leave. It's all just speculation at this point.
26 Apr 2026 18:10:43
100% - months ago I said Edwards/Hughes would likely have to go in order to bring Xabi in. They have all the control, and anybody with half a brain can see there's a complete disconnect between the execs and the coaching when it comes to a vision for the direction this team needs to go in terms of an effective system when you look at the summer signings. Potential managers will be very aware of this, and it will massively affect their decision to come on board. Edwards is ideally looking for a yes man, which I believe could be detrimental to the club's progress for obvious reasons.
I am, however, hopeful that FSG is wary of this situation, as nobody has been offered a new contract yet. Fingers crossed it stays that way. Many people really will not want to hear this, but if Edwards/Hughes jobs are currently safe, in the long run, it may actually be beneficial for Slot to stay on, continue to struggle, and for all 3 muppets to get the sack next season.
If a new manager comes in now and we get that bounce, we're only deluding ourselves, we'll still have the disconnect between the overly controlling Edwards, his hand puppet and the head coach, and I can't ever see that not being an issue.
Hopefully it doesn't come to that and FSG are already looking to replace Slot this summer and the other 2 during the course of the next year. Unfortunately the optics of replacing all 3 in one fell swoop are not good; it makes the club look unstable, so as much as I want it, I don't see it happening.
26 Apr 2026 21:22:43
"The job he was meant to be doing does not exist, so he is interfering within the club without any remit or limits on what he is involved with."
This is gonna be a real problem. I promise you that.
27 Apr 2026 02:02:29
It already is @Oli, it's a big contributing factor in our epic decline this season.