Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), are working on a move for Benfica technical director Pedro Marques, formerly of Manchester City.
FSG appointed ex-Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards as their new chief executive of football earlier this week and took their first major step in creating a new multi-club model. That's where the Boston-based company wants Marques to fit in, as he has expertise in this area.
The Portuguese previously worked for City Football Group, which controls 13 clubs including Premier League champions Man City, La Liga side Girona, New York City and Melbourne City. This provides Marques with skills that FSG are keen to leverage in their pursuit of a second club, the Athletic report.
Marques began his career as a youth coach at Sporting Lisbon in 2004 and six years later he become a first-team performance analyst for Man City. In 2014, Marques changed roles and took up a coaching and analysis job within City Football Group.
Benfica swooped for his services in 2018 and he became their youth technical director. His stock has risen ever since, becoming familiar to Liverpool in their talks to sign Darwin Nunez. He also boasts ties to Julian Ward, who spent a year as Liverpool's sporting director after replacing Edwards.
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Although he won't be working for them directly, Edwards is now back involved with Liverpool and said: "One of the biggest factors in my decision is the commitment to acquire and oversee an additional club, growing this area of their organisation. I believe that to remain competitive, investment and expansion of the current football portfolio is necessary.
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Michael Edwards (right) and Julian Ward (trainingground.guru)"With Liverpool FC, I will oversee the required reinforcement of football operations, with a number of essential leadership positions needing urgent attention. I know from personal experience what a wonderful job Mike Gordon has done with day-to-day oversight on behalf of his fellow owners. Going forward I'm looking forward to working with FSG's Board of Managers.
"Also, in assuming this role, I fully understand that it comes with great expectations, and I therefore intend to identify, hire, and subsequently empower leaders who meet and embody the club's values and ambitions.
"Having served the club previously I need no reminder of how much emotional investment is made by supporters in the city itself, as well as across the UK and the world. I am looking forward to getting started."
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