Liverpool is reportedly close to filling their vacant sporting director role with Jorg Schmadtke. Schmadtke is currently unemployed, but has had a long career in football, including playing as a goalkeeper, managing, and acting as a sporting director for Alemannia Aachen, Hannover 96, FC Koln, and Wolfsburg. He is known for getting value for the budgets he is assigned and has a reputation for his “uniquely gruff manner” and “outspoken style.” He has apologized for any wrongs he may have committed in the past.
Bundesliga journalist Chris Williams has offered insight into what Liverpool could expect from Schmadtke, noting that he can identify players, but has issues working with coaches and players. He is known to be quite vocal and push the train at top speed, which has rubbed many people the wrong way. Klopp has had a role in pursuing Schmadtke, which shows confidence in the pair working well together.
Schmadtke will need to be able to work side-by-side with the club’s current head of recruitment Dave Fallows and chief scout Barry Hunter. He was involved in signing Wout Weghorst, Maxence Lacroix, Kevin Mbabu, Micky Van de Ven and Ridle Baku during his time at Wolfsburg. Julian Ward is still involved in negotiations at present for Liverpool, but the appointment of his successor looks to be around the corner if the latest reports are anything to go by.