Liverpool are about to embark on a bold new direction, with a new sporting director having agreed his move to Anfield this summer.
It was only 12 months ago that the much-lauded Michael Edwards left his role on Merseyside, having been key for much of the club's recruitment over Jurgen Klopp's tenure. Julian Ward stepped into the sporting director role in his absence – but is set to depart a year into the role, after landing a similar job at Ajax.
Liverpool's business over the last year post-Edwards has been criticised by some. Darwin Nunez, the marquee signing of last summer, has struggled for goals in the Premier League, with Cody Gakpo signed mere months later to bolster the frontline further.
Prolific transfer guru Fabrizio Romano is reporting now that Jorg Schmadtke of Wolfsburg has agreed to take up the job at Liverpool and will now be working closely with Klopp on recruitment ahead of the transfer window this summer.
The Mail have confirmed that Schmadtke will not be a consultant either, assuming the role on a full-time basis, as the Reds look towards a heavy rebuild this summer.
Schmadtke has an interesting track record with signings. Liverpool fans will no doubt look to buys he made at Wolfsburg such as Wout Weghorst and Xaver Schlager – though there is one notable blot on his copybook.
Victor Osimhen was on the Bundesliga club's books once upon a time – and after a barren run in front of goal, joined Charleroi on loan to revive his fortunes. The deal included an option to buy the Nigerian hitman for just £3.5 million, which the Belgian club took up before selling him at four times the markup.
When The Telegraph wrote of Liverpool's approach for Schmadtke on Saturday, the report referenced his "outspoken style" and "robust sense of humour".
Schmadtke has admitted that he has had difficult relationships with some managers in the past. The German told Kicker, "There are even people who want to see me again and have a coffee or a beer with me. I am not as big an ass as you may think."
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Liverpool's failed pursuit of Jude Bellingham has led to discussion over who is to blame, with This Is Anfield writing that the fault lies with both Jurgen Klopp and ownership FSG for FourFourTwo.
The Reds are looking at a number of possible alternatives, including Ryan Gravenberch of Bayern Munich, Inter Milan star Nicolo Barella, Brighton midfielder Moises Caidedo and Chelsea fringe midfielder Conor Gallagher. Ex-Red Jose Enrique has questioned whether the Merseysiders even needed Bellingham, anyway.
