Jorg Schmadtke, a veteran German football executive, is expected to be appointed as Liverpool’s new sporting director. Schmadtke has emerged as the surprise favourite for the post, according to Telegraph Sport, after talks between the 59-year-old and Liverpool are in a well advanced stage.
Schmadtke most recently worked at Wolfsburg, but he has been in the sport for over two decades, beginning in 2001 at Aachen and progressing to Hannover and FC Cologne. He is recognised for his outspoken personality as well as for recruiting that gets the most out of the tight budgets he is given.
Jurgen Klopp key to Schmadtke’s Liverpool appointment
Following the departures of Michael Edwards and Julian Ward last year, Liverpool have prioritised recruiting a successor for the position. Schmadtke, 59, had a 13-year playing career, most notably with Fortuna Dusseldorf, and is a figure known to Reds manager Jurgen Klopp. Talks with Liverpool are thought to have escalated in recent weeks, and Schmadtke now appears ready to play a crucial part in the club’s transfer transactions.
The role is critical for Liverpool after the resignation of Michael Edwards last summer, who was shortly followed out the door by his replacement Julian Ward. The club’s successful recruitment has been its mainstay in backing Klopp’s dynamic management style throughout a period in which they have won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup under its German coach.
It has been under scrutiny in the last year, as has the horrible run of injuries that has plagued this season – albeit Liverpool have just rallied. Their victory over Brentford kept their faint chances of qualifying for the Champions League alive. In addition to the resignation of Edwards and Ward, Fenway Sports Group executive Mike Gordon, who was most closely associated with recruitment, has stepped down from his position.
In recent months, he has had to return to that area and lead the search for a sporting director. Schmadtke is said to be a familiar figure with Klopp and will work alongside long-serving chief scouts Dave Fallows and Barry Hunter. Schmadtke has a plethora of knowledge as well as a strong sense of humour.
Jurgen Klopp has stated his wish to bring in new players this summer following a disappointing season. Liverpool are poised to let Naby Keta, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Arthur Melo depart Anfield during this hectic period.
Liverpool have already accepted that they will be unable to recruit Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham, but midfield remains a crucial area of concern. Brighton’s Alexis MacAllister and Moisés Caicedo, Chelsea’s Mason Mount, Wolves’ Matheus Nunes, and Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch are among the targets in that position.