English sporting director linked with Liverpool set to leave role this summer – Liverpool FC
While Liverpool are looking for a new sporting director ahead of Julian Ward’s departure, a very interesting candidate is expected to become available this summer.
Ward is working at Anfield in the final months of his tenure after tendering his resignation following news the club could be sold.
His departure comes a year after he officially took over from longtime Michael Edwards and sends Liverpool into new territory as they seek an outside appointment.
The search for a replacement for Ward is ongoing, with the current sporting director believed to be part of the process to identify his successor.
No names have been announced yet but a possible option is Monaco’s sporting director Paul Mitchell, who happens to be available from this summer.
This is acc L’Equipewho report that the Manchester-born official has confirmed his intention to leave Monaco a year early.
His contract with the Ligue 1 club expires in 2024 but Mitchell will now leave him after the summer transfer window – which of course could be a problem if he joins Liverpool as he would then miss a crucial part of the rebuild.
However, if the Reds do set their sights on the 41-year-old, it could be worth finding a workaround, perhaps even by having Ward extend his stay for a final transfer window.
On the face of it, Mitchell would be a great fit at Liverpool, having built a solid reputation as a recruitment manager at MK Dons, Southampton, Tottenham and RB Leipzig before joining Monaco in 2020.
He was first promoted to the role under ex-Reds academy manager Karl Robinson at MK Dons and brought on two players from Anfield in David Amoo and David Martin.
After joining Southampton in 2012, he played a key role alongside Mauricio Pochettino in their resurgence, including the signings of Nathaniel Clyne, Dusan Tadic, Dejan Lovren, Graziano Pelle, Toby Alderweireld and Sadio Mane.
When he joined Tottenham with Pochettino in late 2014, he was responsible for the deal that brought Dele Alli from MK Dons.
Alderweireld also made a permanent move to Tottenham under his stewardship, with Heung-min Son and Kieran Trippier among Mitchell’s other signings.
When he took over Leipzig in 2018, he brought in greats like Nordi Mukiele, Matheus Cunha, Ademola Lookman, Dani Olmo, Angelino, Patrik Schick and Christopher Nkunku.
In those roles there were indirect deals with Liverpool via Lovren, Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Naby Keita, although he was not acting as sporting director when those transfers were made.
However, he worked to bring Takumi Minamino to Monaco last summer, with Kevin Volland, Breel Embolo, Mohamed Camara and Axel Disasi among his other standout purchases.
While there’s no indication of a move to Merseyside just yet, the timing of Mitchell’s departure is certainly interesting.