Liverpool have confirmed Jorg Schmadtke as their new sporting director, replacing the outgoing Julian Ward. The 59-year-old German left Wolfsburg in February after four years with the club, having previously worked with FC Koln, Hannoer 96 and Aachen. Schmadtke will begin his role on 1 June, pending a work permit, taking over from Ward who has been with the Reds for over 10 years.
Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon said of Schmadtke’s arrival: ‘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.’
Speaking earlier this month of the incoming sporting director, manager Jurgen Klopp said: ‘Jorg Schmadtke I’ve known for a long, long time, he probably knows me not as long as I know him because he was a much better player but we started in a similar moment, our “second career”, I became a coach at Mainz and he became a sporting director at Aachen, two teams at similar stages, from there we’ve known each other a little bit. I know he’s a good guy and a smart guy. Very good at what he did in Germany, definitely, very, very successful. Character is good, personality is good, humour good, I know that from a few moments next to the pitch.’
Liverpool have officially confirmed Jorg Schmadtke as their new Sporting Director, replacing the outgoing Julian Ward. Schmadtke is a 59-year-old German who left Wolfsburg in February after four years with the club, having previously worked with FC Koln, Hannoer 96 and Aachen. He will begin his role on 1 June pending a work permit. Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon welcomed Schmadtke to the club and thanked Ward for his 11 years of service. Manager Jurgen Klopp spoke positively of Schmadtke earlier this month, saying that he had known him for a long time and that he was a good guy and smart guy with a great track record in Germany. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.