Journalist reveals 2 candidates for new Liverpool sporting director – Liverpool FC

Liverpool’s search for a replacement for outgoing sporting director Julian Ward is said to be “underway” with two names being linked on Monday.

After taking over from former sporting director Michael Edwards last summer, news of Ward’s impending departure in November came as a surprise.

Since then, there has hardly been any concrete information about a possible replacement, but the Sporty‘s David Ornstein has now named two candidates.

One is Eintracht Frankfurt’s sporting director Markus Krosche, who previously held a similar role at RB Leipzig between 2019 and 2021.

The 42-year-old has built a Eintracht side that won the Europa League last season and are now in the last 16 of the Champions League where they face Napoli this week.

Krosche was involved in transfers for Dani Olmo and Christopher Nkunku at Leipzig and was also involved in the sale of Ibrahima Konate to Liverpool.

His Eintracht signings include Jesper Lindstrom and French World Cup striker Randal Kolo Muani, both of whom have at times been linked with Liverpool.

Krosche’s recruiting track record is certainly impressive and his history as part of the Red Bull setup could also appeal to Liverpool.

His existing deal with Eintracht runs until 2025 but it remains to be seen whether Liverpool will formalize their interest and try to get him away from the club sooner.

The other name linked to the role is Monaco’s sporting director Paul Mitchell, who Ornstein said was “heavily considered” by Liverpool.

Earlier this month, reports in France indicated that Mitchell had decided to give up his role with the Ligue 1 side this summer, but Ornstein claims the Englishman is expected to stay.

He adds that Monaco’s president has tasked Mitchell with recruiting his successor, whose current term expires in 2024.

The article also highlights that “the current shift” at some of Europe’s top sides is something Mitchell is “certainly aware” of, with many clubs likely to recruit figures in roles similar to his in the years to come.

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.

Last summer he negotiated a move for Takumi Minamino from the Reds, along with his other signings including Kevin Volland, Breel Embolo, Mohamed Camara and Axel Disasi.

The upcoming transfer window is huge for Liverpool and it’s good to hear the wheels are turning on a date for a key role.