Liverpool have appointed Jorg Schmadtke as their new sporting director, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday. The 59-year-old German spent more than four years in the same position with Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga, before leaving the club at the start of the year. He was also notably sporting director of Hanover and Cologne.
The former Fortuna Dusseldorf goalkeeper will take charge on June 1, subject to obtaining a work permit, as Liverpool seek to bounce back from a trophyless season. Schmadtke will succeed Julian Ward, who leaves the club after more than a decade at Anfield, marked by a Premier League title in 2020 and a Champions League in 2019.
“Firstly, I would like to welcome Jorg to Liverpool Football Club, knowing that he will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to a role where such qualities can only benefit him and us. “Said in the statement of the club Mike Gordon, the president of Fenway Sports Group, the American owners of Liverpool. “Jorg will work with our football operations department which continues to support Jurgen Klopp, in line with our constant efforts to continue to grow and develop the club in all areas,” he added.
“I know he’s a good guy and a smart person,” said Liverpool coach Klopp, when asked earlier this month about the possibility of his compatriot Schmadtke joining the Reds coaching staff. “He is very good at what he has done in Germany, he has really succeeded,” said Klopp, whose players ended the Premier League season in fifth position on Sunday, failing to qualify for the Champions League for the final. first time since the 2015/2016 season.
