Jörg Schmadtke becomes sporting director at Liverpool FC

Jörg Schmadtke’s (59) move to Liverpool is perfect. The Reds confirmed on Tuesday that the long-time Bundesliga manager will become the new sporting director from June 1st.

Schmadtke succeeds Julian Ward at the club of German team manager Jürgen Klopp, who is leaving after more than a decade at the club. The media had already reported on the upcoming deal last week.

Liverpool did not provide any information about the contract period. In the past media reports, there was initially talk of a cooperation limited to three months during the summer transfer window until the end of August. A decision should then be made about a further Schmadtke commitment at the LFC.

Schmadtke now has to moderate a change together with Klopp. The club missed the Champions League for the first time since the 2016/17 season. Schmadtke, who previously worked as a manager at Alemannia Aachen, Hannover 96 and 1. FC Köln, was most recently the managing director of VfL Wolfsburg.

Schmadtke brings “a wealth of knowledge and experience,” said Mike Gordon, president of Fenway Sports Group, which owns the club: “Jörg will work with our football department to continue to support Jurgen Klopp, in line with our ongoing commitment to the to further develop the club in all areas.”