Liverpool appoints Jorg Schmadtke as their new sporting director. The German left VfL Wolfsburg at the beginning of this calendar year, where he held a similar position for four years. Schmadtke succeeds Julian Ward.
Liverpool picks up new sporting director in Germany
After more than a decade working for Liverpool, current sporting director Ward will step down next summer. He started with the scouting team of The Reds in 2012 and rose to sporting director. Schmadtke will take over his duties on 1 June, subject to the German’s work permit being completed on time. Schmadtke previously also worked for 1. FC Köln, Hannover 96 and Alemannia Aachen.
President of the Fenway Sports Group, owner of Liverpool FC, Mike Gordon is pleased with Schmadtke’s appointment. “I would like to welcome Jorg to Liverpool, knowing that he will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to a role where those qualities are very important. He will work with our football operations department to continue supporting Jurgen Klopp,” he said.
“At the same time, we bid farewell to Julian Ward, who has served us with all his diligence, determination and energy in a variety of roles. We wish Julian and his family all the best for the future and thank him for everything he has done for Liverpool over the last 11 years,” Gordon concluded.
New Liverpool director declares extremely short contract
Jörg Schmadtke initially signs for just three months with Liverpool. The German will start as sporting director at The Reds, normally a long-term position. Schmadtke himself explains why the contract duration is so short.
Schmadtke left VfL Wolfsburg earlier this year and succeeds Julian Ward at Liverpool. For the time being, therefore, both parties opt for a short collaboration that lasts from 1 June to 1 September. “We will evaluate the collaboration after three months. If both parties can get along, we can continue after the transfer period. We’ll take a look at it,” says Schmadtke in an interview with German Sport1.
Schmadtke says that he came into the picture at Liverpool through Marc Kosicke. Kosicke is manager Jürgen Klopp’s agent. He has a good relationship with the owners of Liverpool. When Julian Ward announced his departure, Marc dropped my name.’
Klopp has a big finger in the pie when it comes to purchasing policy. ‘In England, a trainer has more influence on that than in Germany. Jürgen sets the priorities. We work with him and a team of data analysts and scouts, after which he chooses which players he wants. Then I discuss possible transfers within other departments of the club.’
