Liverpool are close to agreeing a deal with Jorg Schmadtke as their new sporting director. The German has already accepted the role according to reports.
The German most recently worked at VFL Wolfsburg in Germany as a managing director. He has also been the chief executive at FC Koln and was a professional footballer until 1998.
He will be replacing Julian Ward, who announced in November that he will be leaving the club only months after replacing Michael Edwards.
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano: “Liverpool are now close to appointing Jorg Schmadtke as [their] new sport director. The agreement is imminent. He has accepted the role.”
He also added that Schmadtke will be working closely with Jurgen Klopp with the latter being an important figure in decision making with regard to transfer strategy.
According to German outlet Bild, former Manchester United goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler is ‘high up’ on Liverpool’s list of options as an understudy to Alisson Becker.
Liverpool are preparing for a busy summer transfer window after their underwhelming performance this season. Jurgen Klopp himself has admitted on many occasions this year that his squad needs a rebuild.
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Schmadtke has been known for working wonders with clubs on a very small budget and pulling them out of their poor financial conditions. Liverpool fans can expect that budgets will be spent efficiently under the German’s leadership.
Schmadtke also means a breath of fresh air as he will be focussed on bringing raw talent to Liverpool before they have burst onto the scene. Klopp is also the perfect manager to bring out the potential in such players.
There have been contrasting reports about whether Schmadtke’s role will be permanent or if he is only coming in temporarily to help Liverpool out in the transfer window.
Liverpool currently lie in 5th in the Premier League with a slim chance of a top-four finish after a disappointing season.
There are to be big changes at Liverpool as veterans like James Milner and Roberto Firmino are set to leave the club. There is a general feeling that the Merseyside team needs a refresh, especially in midfield but it needs to be an evolution rather than a revolution.
