Jorg Schmadtke 2022Getty

Liverpool in talks with Jorg Schmadtke over sporting director role

  • German identified as replacement for outgoing Julian Ward
  • 59-year-old left managing director role at Wolfsburg in February
  • Talks advanced but nothing finalised

WHAT HAPPENED? The Reds have been searching for a replacement for Julian Ward, who is stepping down at the end of the season and, as first reported by The Telegraph, have identified 59-year-old Schmadtke as a leading candidate. Talks are now understood to be advanced, although nothing is finalised at this stage.

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THE BIGGER PICTURE: Schmadtke left his role as managing director (sport) of Wolfsburg in February, having previously held executive roles at Aachen, Koln and Hannover. The German is a former goalkeeper who played for Fortuna Dusseldorf and Freibiurg in the 1980s and 90s, and is understood to have a good relationship already with Jurgen Klopp, as well as a strong reputation in the Bundesliga.

AND WHAT'S MORE: With Ward due to leave his role in June, only 12 months after taking over from Michael Edwards, Liverpool have been keen to secure a replacement. They have considered a number of candidates, with the search led by Klopp, chief executive Billy Hogan and Mike Gordon, president of club owners Fenway Sports Group.

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Schmadtke, if appointed, will have plenty to oversee this summer, with several first-team players leaving and a host of potential new signings targeted, including Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister, Chelsea's Mason Mount and the Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.

IN THREE PHOTOS:

Jorg Schmadtke 2022Getty

Jurgen Klopp Julian Ward Mike GordonGetty

Jurgen Klopp Liverpool 2022-23Getty

WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL? The Reds are next in action a week on Monday when they travel to Leicester in the Premier League (20:00 GMT).

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