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Liverpool Echo

Sport

Ian Doyle

Liverpool appoint new sporting director as Jorg Schmadtke role confirmed

Jorg Schmadtke Liverpool Jurgen Klopp Julian Ward Germany

Liverpool have confirmed Jorg Schmadtke as their new sporting director in place of the departing Julian Ward.

Schmadtke, a veteran of several similar roles in Germany, has been appointed on a short-term deal with the potential for it to become long term.

The length of the initial contract has not been disclosed, but is understood to extend beyond the forthcoming transfer window. He will officially begin his new role on Thursday.

Liverpool were keen to appoint the 59-year-old before the opening of the window for Premier League clubs on June 14 in order to aid the handover from Ward, who will depart after 11 years at the club but only 12 months in his present role after succeeding Michael Edwards.

Schmadtke has assumed the job title of sporting director, despite speculation he would be employed as a transfer consultant.

Liverpool's recruitment team has already put in significant groundwork on a number of potential summer signings, with the remainder now being overseen by Schmadtke following Ward's departure.

Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister remains the priority with growing speculation in his homeland of Argentina the player is close to completing a move in the region of £60million.

Liverpool want to sign at least two midfielders, and are also considering a new centre-back while keeping options open in other positions depending on any other departures this summer beyond the four - Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita - who have exited at the end of their contracts.

Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon said: “Firstly, I would like to welcome Jorg to Liverpool Football Club in the knowledge that he will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience into a role in which such qualities can only be beneficial both to him and us.

“Jorg will work with our football operations department as it continues to provide support for Jürgen Klopp, in keeping with our ongoing endeavour to keep growing and developing the club in all areas.

“At the same time as we welcome Jorg, we must also bid a fond farewell to Julian Ward, who has served us with unstinting diligence, fortitude and energy in a number of roles, the most recent one being sporting director.

“We wish Julian and his young family the very best for the future and thank him for everything he has done for Liverpool FC during the past 11 years.”

A number of names were considered for the role of sporting director, with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp - who has known Schmadtke from his time working in Germany as a player and a manager - taking a key role in the process alongside chief executive Billy Hogan and Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon.

"Jorg Schmadtke I have known a long, long time," said Klopp earlier this month. "He knows me probably not as long as I know him, because he was a much better player. I know he is a good guy and a smart guy. Very good at what he did in Germany, definitely, very successful. His character is good, his personality is good, his humour is good. I know that from a few moments next to the pitch.

"(But) If it happens, it would not be a Jurgen Klopp signing because we are both German or both know each other. That would have nothing to do with it."

Schmadtke, who was a goalkeeper for Fortuna Dusseldorf and Freiburg during the 1980s and 1990s, has extensive experience as an executive in Germany, having worked with Aachen, Hannover, Koln and most recent Wolfsburg as sporting director, where he remained for more than four years before leaving in February.

Schmadtke has long acquired a reputation in Germany for straight talking and a no-nonsense approach to the job. However, he said earlier this year: "A lot of things happen on the job. In the end, it's all about the job. I have no problems with anyone. There are even people who want to see me again and have a coffee or a beer with me. I'm not as big an ass as people might think."

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