(Football News) Liverpool are set to hire Jörg Schmadtke as the club’s sporting director. The German has previously worked with Wolfsburg as he takes up a very important role at Liverpool, and will become a key member of the transfer committee. Liverpool have been looking for a replacement for Julian Ward, who is going to leave at the end of the season. Ward recently replaced Michael Edwards last summer but announced in November that he would depart at the end of the season and try out new ventures.

Jürgen Klopp has publicly stated his desire to bring in fresh faces this summer after an underwhelming season. Liverpool will also sell a lot of players as the likes of Naby Keïta, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Arthur Melo are all set to leave Anfield. Liverpool y will not be able to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund but midfield is an area that they want to strengthen. Brighton’s duo of Alexis Mac Allister and Moisés Caicedo are heavily linked while Mason Mount, Matheus Nunes and Ryan Gravenberch are among the other midfield targets.

Schmadtke had a very successful playing career at Fortuna Düsseldorf and Freiburg before he started his coaching career with Alemannia Aachen. Schmadtke recently worked at Wolfsburg and was known for buying budget players who certainly lived up to their expectations. He has been doing this for over two decades, beginning his career in 2001 at Aachen and then working with clubs like Hannover and FC Cologne. In German football he is recognised for his outspoken personality as well as for making the most out of the tight budgets he is given.

Following the departures of Michael Edwards and Julian Ward last year, Liverpool have prioritised the director of football position. Michael Edwards has been the man behind the club’s successful recruitment and backing Klopp’s dynamic management style throughout a period in which they have won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup. In addition to the resignation of Edwards and Ward, Fenway Sports Group executive Mike Gordon, who also used to work closely with transfers, has also stepped down.

Schmadtke upon leaving Wolfsburg, said: “I’ve been doing all this for so long and I’ve realised that it’s time to end this chapter. There are other things in life that I would like to do. First and foremost I think of my wife, my family, who had to put back many years.”

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