Liverpool’s new sporting director – listing the key tasks to prioritise this summer
Jörg Schmadtke is expected to sign a fixed-term contract to become Liverpool FC’s new sporting director.
The 59-year-old German manager, who has extensive Bundesliga experience, will officially succeed the outgoing Julian Ward on 1 June.
Schmadtke’s appointment brings a six-month search to an end after Ward told club owners in November that he intended to step down after just one full season in office. Ward, who has served Liverpool in various capacities over the past 11 years, turned down an offer from Ajax in March and will take a break from football.
Liverpool have secured Schmadtke’s services after reviewing the merits of various candidates, including Monaco’s Paul Mitchell and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Markus Krosche. The process was led by Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon and club CEO Billy Hogan, with some input from manager Jurgen Klopp.
They believe Schmadtke has both the connections and the personality to be successful in this job. The former Fortuna Düsseldorf and Freiburg goalkeeper announced his retirement when he left Wolfsburg in January, but this unexpected opportunity proved too good to turn down.
The deal comes with an option to renew provided both parties are happy with how things are going over the coming months.
With Liverpool’s squad in desperate need of reinforcements after a season of underperforming, there will be no smooth start to life on Merseyside for Schmadtke. There is much to do …
build relationships
Schmadtke will work closely with Liverpool’s recruitment director Dave Fallows and chief scout Barry Hunter throughout the summer window.
The key relationship will undoubtedly be with Klopp. Can they develop the kind of relationship the manager previously had with Michael Edwards and then Ward?
Klopp recently praised Schmadtke’s qualities, but made it clear that he did not choose his compatriot himself, but only gave his approval for the appointment.
“If it happens, it would not be a commitment from Jürgen Klopp because we are both Germans or we both know each other,” said Klopp. “That would have nothing to do with it.
“Jörg Schmadtke, I’ve known him for a long time. He probably doesn’t know me as long as I know him because he was a much better player, but we started in a similar moment in our second career. I became a coach at Mainz and he became a sporting director at Aachen – two teams with similar status, so we know each other a little from there.
“I know he’s 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 humor is good. I know that from a few moments off the pitch.”
Despite Liverpool’s struggles this season, Klopp’s influence and authority remain stronger than ever. He won’t go anywhere until 2026 (when his current contract expires) at the earliest as the manager is excited for the crucial next phase of his rebuild at Anfield. If Schmadtke wants to stay in the long term, he needs this dynamic to arrive.
“I’m not as big a ass as you might think,” Schmadtke told German magazine Kicker earlier this year, citing his reputation for being outspoken at times. Behind the scenes at Liverpool, he will certainly be encouraged to speak his mind openly. It remains to be seen whether, like Edwards and Ward before him, he will keep a low profile in public.
Ensure Liverpool’s goals are met
Most of the preparatory work has already been done with the creation of the selection lists. For months there has been behind-the-scenes debate over who is available and at what price.
However, it is up to Schmadtke to start negotiations with clubs, agree personal terms with player representatives and ensure Liverpool are not outsmarted by rivals.
This task is made more difficult by the club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League. It’s a major setback, both financially and in terms of prestige.
the athlete announced earlier this week that Mason Mount, one of Liverpool’s targets, is leaning towards a move to Manchester United as he prepares to leave Chelsea this summer.
Strengthening the midfield is a priority as James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all leave as free agents. Arthur Melo returns to Juventus after the end of his disappointing loan.
Liverpool are keen on signing Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister with the Argentina international seen as the perfect match. They also remain interested in Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch.
There will be at least two signings in midfield, with Klopp also keen to bolster his ranks defensively. “We look in all departments – except for the current goalkeeper,” he said recently.
Klopp’s pulling power should help Schmadtke in his search. It will be the manager who sets out his vision and tries to convince potential newcomers that the club’s Champions League exit will be short-lived.
Increase the transfer fund through sales
Liverpool have a history of being adept at raising substantial funds by selling fringe players for record fees.
Last summer, academy graduate Neco Williams left for Nottingham Forest for £17m ($21m) and Takumi Minamino was sold to Monaco for £15.5m. Twelve months earlier, departures included Harry Wilson (£12m to Fulham) and Marko Grujic (£10.5m to Porto).
This time there are few obvious ways to make money. Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is arguably the most valuable asset when it comes to substitutes but Klopp says it would take “an extraordinary offer” for the Republic of Ireland international to be sold.
Kelleher, who would be delighted at the chance to become number 1, has attracted interest from Tottenham, Brighton and Brentford, among others. A fee in excess of £25million would be hard to turn down.
The sight of Kostas Tsimikas crying at the Anfield farewells to Roberto Firmino, Milner, Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain last weekend sparked speculation he could also leave this summer. However, Liverpool are planning to have the Greek left-back on board for next season. Senior Anfield sources – who have been spoken to the athlete on condition of anonymity to protect their positions – have also dismissed rumors Andy Robertson could potentially continue, with the Scotland captain a central figure in the dressing room.
In a summer when most players leaving Liverpool are leaving on free transfers, it falls to Schmadtke to ensure the club generates the greatest possible return for all others who follow him.
contract talks
Unlike a year ago, when Mohamed Salah’s future was still uncertain at the end of the season, Schmadtke does not have to deal with such a contract saga.
Talks are currently underway with third-choice keeper Adrian, whose contract expires this summer. The former West Ham No. 1 is a popular figure in Kirkby. He has not competed since last July’s Community Shield, but is well respected for training alongside Kelleher and Alisson every day.
Both Thiago and Joel Matip will enter the final year of their contracts this summer but at this point in their careers there isn’t much urgency to talk about renewals.
Thiago, 32, missed the final month of the season with a hip problem that required surgery, while Matip, 31, has only played twice for Klopp’s side since February.
Of those who lose their contract in 2025, Trent Alexander-Arnold will be the priority when it comes to agreeing on a new contract. However, there is no rush on this front.
For Schmadtke, the coming weeks and months will be about acting quickly and decisively on the transfer market in order to give Klopp’s team the quality boost they need to get them back in the fight for football’s biggest trophies.
(Header photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)