Jorg Schmadtke looks like he’s on his way to Liverpool (Picture: Getty Images)
Talks have advanced between Liverpool and Jorg Schmadtke, with the German looking likely to become the club’s new sporting director.
The 59-year-old was most recently in a similar role with Wolfsburg and has also worked at FC Koln, Hannoer 96 and Aachen after a playing career as a goalkeeper.
The Telegraph report that Schmadtke has emerged as the clear frontrunner for the role and looks set to be given the job at Anfield in the near future, the report states that the German, ‘is known for his outspoken style and also for recruitment that gets value for the budgets he is assigned.’
There has been some turmoil in the Liverpool hierarchy in recent times, with Michael Edwards leaving the sporting director role last year and his successor Julian Ward doing the same shortly after.
The Premier League giants have been hunting for a new sporting director for some time now and the German appears to be their man, who will work closely with Klopp and Liverpool’s scouts ahead of a key summer of recruitment.
The Reds are keen to sign at least two new midfielders, while they may also be keen to strengthen in defence as they look to improve on a difficult season so far.
They have picked up in recent weeks, winning six matches on the spin, but they still look unlikely to make the Champions League places after a very inconsistent campaign until the last few weeks.
Recruitment has been fantastic at Anfield during the Klopp era but it will need to be again this summer with a midfield revamp required and plenty of competition at the top of the table.
Manchester City had previously been Liverpool’s obvious rivals, but both Arsenal and Manchester United have been somewhat resurgent, while Newcastle are also now a threat in the top four.
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An appointment is reportedly close.