Liverpool’s new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke ‘will start work on June 1 on a three-month deal’

Liverpool‘s new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke is set to sign a three-month deal at Anfield starting on June 1, according to reports in Germany.

Jurgen Klopp is keen to undergo a summer rebuild after struggling to keep apace with newly-crowned champions Manchester City and title contenders Arsenal this season, and Schmadtke is set to join the Reds as a senior consultant for transfers at the end of the season.

The former goalkeeper has been brought in to replace Julian Ward, the current incumbent, who stated his intention to step down from the role last November. 

Schmadtke, 59, will likely have a tough task attracting Europe’s best talent this summer, with Liverpool set to miss out on a top four place and a spot in next season’s Champions League.

The Reds must beat Southampton on Sunday and hope for Manchester United to lose against both Chelsea and Fulham to secure any more than a Europa League finish this campaign.

The German has a close relationship with his fellow countryman and Reds boss Jurgen Klopp 

Klopp says his close relationship with Schmadtke is not key to his appointment

A well-respected figure within German football, Schmadtke had initially retired after leaving Wolfsburg in January, but the chance to work with Klopp at a club with the stature of Liverpool convinced him to return to the game.

German outlet BILD reported on Tuesday that an official announcement confirming Schmadtke’s arrival was imminent, and that the sporting director would join the Premier League outfit on a short-term contract. 

It is believed further negotiations will take place to discuss the German’s long-term future at Anfield following his initial three-month spell with the club.

Schmadtke enjoys a close relationship with Klopp, but the Liverpool boss was keen to stress this was not the main reason for his appointment.

Schmadtke was made director of sport at Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg five years ago

‘If it happens, it would not be a Jurgen Klopp signing because we are both German or both know each other,’ Klopp said last week.   

‘That would have nothing to do with it. I can say that. Jorg Schmadtke, I have known for a long, long time.

‘He knows me probably not as long as I know him, because he was a much better player, but we started in a similar moment our second career.’

He continued: ‘I became a coach at Mainz and he became sporting director at Aachen — two teams of similar status, so from there we know each other a little bit.

Liverpool are targeting Wolves’ Matheus Nunes (left) and Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister (right)

‘I know he is a good guy and a smart guy. Very good at what he did in Germany, definitely, very successful. His character is good, his personality is good, his humour is good. I know that from a few moments next to the pitch.’

Chelsea’s Mason Mount and Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister are linked with summer moves to Liverpool at the end of the season, along with Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes.

Liverpool have also tracked Khephren Thuram — the son of France legend Lilian — but are not expected to proceed with a deal as it stands.

Schmadtke will fit in alongside long-serving figures Dave Fallows and Barry Hunter on Liverpool’s technical team.