Inevitable changes: Liverpool CEO talks about FSG,
According to Sports.
Why this matters
Billy Hogan's approach to Liverpool's future reflects the need to adapt and invest after a challenging year. The possibility of a new strategic investment could provide the club with the resources it needs to compete at the highest level of Premier League football, especially with increasing pressure from other clubs also seeking significant reinforcements.
Main conclusions
- Inevitable changes: Liverpool CEO talks about FSG.
- Billy Hogan, CEO of Liverpool, talks about the club's evolution, in the context of a pre-season in New York, addressing changes, investments and the future of the team.
- 'Change is inevitable' - Liverpool CEO on FSG, Iraola and consortium talks - Yahoo Sports.
Liverpool are currently in pre-season, where they will face the likes of Sunderland, Wrexham and Leeds. This summer has been a significant one for football, and Liverpool and Fenway Sports Group (FSG) CEO Billy Hogan says the aim is to build on the challenges faced last year, which was “very difficult” for the club for a number of reasons. Hogan spoke to BBC Sport in New York ahead of Andoni Iraola leading his team against Wrexham at the iconic Yankee Stadium this Wednesday at 7:30pm local time, 00:30 BST. While there is great anticipation surrounding a new era in the field, you need to deal with situations outside of it first. Last week, FSG confirmed that a consortium led by Amit Bhatia, a British-Indian millionaire, is in talks for a strategic minority investment in the club. These conversations are taking place and there is a growing belief that an agreement can be reached. "Look, John Henry (the main owner) and FSG have always said that if there is interest in an investment that would help the club, they would consider it. That was said many years ago and remains true," Hogan told BBC Sport. The CEO, who has been with FSG since they bought Liverpool for £300 million in 2010, stresses, however, that they remain committed to the project and that news of this development should not be interpreted as a sign that the company, which also owns the Boston Red Sox baseball franchise, is stepping aside. According to the Financial Times, a deal with the Bhatia-led consortium would value Liverpool at more than £4.5 billion. "There's still a huge opportunity," Hogan said. "This is the biggest and most popular sport in the world and we are one of the biggest clubs in the biggest league in the biggest sport in the world. So we are in an excellent position. The Premier League has tremendous momentum. We have definitely not reached our peak. We are in a good position to keep growing and that is why everyone, on both sides of the club, football and business, is focused on taking the club forward and winning trophies. "On the pitch, our aim every season is to win trophies. Off the field, our priority is to continue to increase revenue and expand and build the club. We are really pleased with the club's trajectory and direction - we came fifth in the Deloitte Football Money League and had the highest revenue (£702m) in the Premier League. "All this investment, as has always been the case since 2010, goes back into the club. It's about running the club sustainably. After a record spend of £450m last summer, Liverpool performed disappointingly on the pitch. This ultimately led to the sacking of Arne Slot at the end of the campaign. Senior players such as Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konaté also left the club on a free transfer. This summer has been a period of change at Liverpool, with Michael Edwards stepping down as CEO of FSG football, particularly as ownership plans for a number of clubs have been abandoned. Meanwhile, Richard Hughes, Liverpool's sporting director, is linked with a move to Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia," says Hogan. “It will take time, but in terms of transition it would send a message that we are in a very healthy place as a football club – the ownership leadership is in a very stable position and we are looking forward to next season.” Hogan insists that regardless of personnel changes, the club's model remains the same and they will continue to adhere to its principles. "It is important to bear in mind that, last season, a considerable amount was invested, but also generated in terms of sales from players who left," he explains. "Throughout FSG's tenure, investment has always focused on doing what is best to put us in a place to win. Sometimes that means significant expenditure and sometimes not, like in the summer of 2024 when there was just one addition (Federico Chiesa for £12.5 million). It depends on where we are at the club and the improvements needed. Ultimately Mike Gordon, who is really our responsible owner, will make those decisions." Attention is also growing on the women's team, which finished 11th in the WSL last season and hasn't won a top-flight title since 2014. "To be self-critical, that's probably an area that we maybe overlooked a number of years ago, but we've changed that," says Hogan. "We now have one of the best training facilities at AXA Melwood, we are investing in the squad and we will approach the women's team in the same way we approach the men's team - which is managed sustainably. There is tremendous growth in the women's game and a huge opportunity in the future to really drive this forward." It's still remarkable to think that the club was on the brink of administration when FSG took control in 2010. It hasn't been all rosy. This year, Hogan wrote to fans about rising ticket prices. The club has reduced its planned increase in ticket prices for future seasons following protests from fans. However, under FSG management, Anfield has been transformed, with two of the four stands developed in the last decade. “When FSG acquired LFC, there were a lot of similarities drawn between the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool, and one of them was this idea of an iconic venue that really fits into the community,” explains Hogan. "One of the things we're focused on now is making improvements to the area around Anfield, whether that's in terms of infrastructure or transport and bringing people into the venue on days when there aren't games. We're proud of how we've expanded by keeping the soul but also modernizing it in a way that's appropriate for the football club. "Football doesn't give you a lot of time to sit back and reflect. What I would say I'm most proud of is that the club is in such a positive and good financial position. If I go back to 2010, the club was literally on the verge of bankruptcy. Now you have the right foundations underneath. There are improvements across the infrastructure, the ability to stay at Anfield long-term and things that don't always get the headlines but are super important to the health of the club. "In the end it's about winning trophies and I wish we could win more, but we were lucky enough to win a few. "I think our supporters had a lot of fun and I often think about the fan parks at Champions League finals - we lost a few, but just the joy and the memories we have, and frankly the fun of that is something I look back on from time to time. And it's something that everyone associated with Liverpool should be proud of, because it happens together and we all want this club to be the best in the world." After a difficult year for Liverpool, where better to start looking to the future than in New York, the city of dreams.
What happens next
With talks ongoing about minority investment, Liverpool will be able to strengthen their position both on and off the pitch. As pre-season progresses, the team, led by the likes of Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson, will look to build a solid foundation for next season in the Premier League as they prepare to face the likes of Wrexham under the guidance of Andoni Iraola.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Liverpool recently?
Liverpool is in pre-season and CEO Billy Hogan spoke about the challenges of the last year and talks with a consortium for a strategic investment in the club.
Who confirmed the talks about investing in Liverpool?
Billy Hogan-led Fenway Sports Group (FSG) has confirmed that a consortium led by Amit Bhatia is in talks to invest in the club.
Why are talks about investing in Liverpool taking place now?
Talks are ongoing to help the club overcome the challenges faced over the last year, which was considered 'very difficult'.
What changes are being discussed for Liverpool?
Changes related to a strategic minority investment in the club are being discussed, which could help face current challenges.
What is FSG's commitment to Liverpool?
Billy Hogan stated that FSG remains committed to the Liverpool project and that interest in investment does not indicate that they are moving away from the club.