Liverpool have announced the appointment of Jorge Schmadtke as the club's new sporting director.
The 59-year-old will begin his new role on Thursday, subject to the successful completion of work permit formalities, and will replace Julian Ward who will depart this summer after 11 years at Anfield.
Schmadtke's most recent position was at Bundesliga club Wolfsburg, where he spent four-and-a-half years as a sporting director before leaving in February.
The German previously worked at Koln, Hannover and Alemannia Aachen, while he made over 300 appearances as a goalkeeper in his playing days between 1985 and 1998 for Fortuna Dusseldorf, Freiburg, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach.
A statement on Liverpool's official website from Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon read: "Firstly, I would like to welcome Jorg to Liverpool Football Club in the knowledge that he will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience into a role in which such qualities can only be beneficial both to him and us.
We can confirm Jorg Schmadtke has been appointed as the club's new sporting director.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 30, 2023
"Jorg will work with our football operations department as it continues to provide support for Jurgen Klopp, in keeping with our ongoing endeavour to keep growing and developing the club in all areas.
"At the same time as we welcome Jorg, we must also bid a fond farewell to Julian Ward, who has served us with unstinting diligence, fortitude and energy in a number of roles, the most recent one being sporting director.
"We wish Julian and his young family the very best for the future and thank him for everything he has done for Liverpool FC during the past 11 years."
Schmadtke joins Liverpool just two days after the conclusion of the 2022-23 Premier League campaign, with the Reds finishing in fifth place and failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2016-17.
© Reuters
Klopp's side must settle for Europa League football next season and the Liverpool boss will work closely with Schmadtke during what is set to be a busy summer transfer window for the Merseysiders.
With James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita all leaving Anfield when their contracts expire, Liverpool will look to prioritise midfield reinforcements ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
Brighton & Hove Albion's Alexis Mac Allister has been strongly linked with a move to Anfield, with the Argentine World Cup winner believed to be close to agreeing personal terms with Klopp's side.
The likes of Chelsea's Mason Mount, Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich and Ryan Gravenberch, Southampton's Romeo Lavia and Leicester City's Youri Tielemans – who is out of contract next month – have also been linked with a possible summer switch to Liverpool.
Oliver Thomas
