Jorg Schmadtke joins Liverpool as new sporting director: ‘A wealth of knowledge and experience!’
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ByEurosport
Updated 30/05/2023 at 10:32 GMT
Liverpool have moved quickly to find a new sporting director in former Wolfsburg SD Jorg Schmadtke after it had been confirmed that Julian Ward will be leaving the club after over a decade at Anfield. Schmadtke previously worked at FC Koln, Hannover and Aachen before joining Wolfsburg, whom he left in early 2023 as he looked for another challenge.
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Premier League giants Liverpool have confirmed the appointment of Jorg Schmadtke as their new sporting director. He will take over from Julian Ward on June 1.
Schmadtke, 59, has been out of work since leaving Wolfsburg at the start of 2023, he had previously worked there for four and a half years since joining in 2018.
Before that he worked for FC Koln, Hannover and Alemannia Aachen.
He comes in to replace Ward, who is stepping away from the club after over a decade with the team in the recruitment set-up.
Liverpool endured a tough start to the season and although they turned it around after the World Cup break they were unable to reach the Champions League places, having to settle for fifth place and the Europa League.
Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon said: “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.
“Jorg will work with our football operations department as it continues to provide support for Jürgen 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.”
The club have already confirmed that Roberto Firmino, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and James Milner will all leave the club in the summer.
There has been no confirmation yet as to any further possible departures or arrivals but the club are being heavily linked to Brighton & Hove Albion’s World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister.
'Surprising for everyone!' - View from Germany
Marc Hlusiak of Eurosport Germany admits that the move for Schmadtke is a bit of a surprise in Germany.
"Schmadtke doesn’t have a special reputation in Germany to be honest, that’s why it is surprising for everyone to see he got a job at Liverpool. He has a very direct manner, which has got him in trouble a few times with his trainers - such as Oliver Glasner.
"He seems moody from time to time and can quickly become ironic in interviews. He is kind of likable, but in a weird way, if that makes sense.
"He had the job of sports director at VfL Wolfsburg. A club with above-average financial possibilities, but measured against these possibilities, I would say he had relatively modest success.
"I think of Maximilian Philipp or Luca Waldschmidt. They expected more from both, but they are probably not real flops, just a bit disappointing.
"Schmadtke did a solid job on the transfer market, but didn't shine with the really big moves either. His best transfer was arguably that of Wout Weghorst in his first season."
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