Schmadtke appointed Liverpool Sporting Director
Jürgen Klopp and Jorg Schmadtke (photo: Liverpool FC)
Written by Training Ground Guru — May 30, 2023
JORG SCHMADTKE has been appointed as Liverpool’s new Sporting Director, succeeding Julian Ward.
The German, 59, spent more than four years in the same role with Bundesliga side Wolfsburg before leaving at the start of this year. He has also worked in similar positions at Cologne, Hannover and Alemannia Aachen.
Schmadtke will begin his new role on June 1st, subject to receiving a work permit. Ward has worked for Liverpool for more than a decade, initially joining from Manchester City in October 2012 as Scouting Manager for Spain and Portugal.
Three years later he moved into the new position of Loan Pathways and Football Partnerships Manager and at the end of last season he succeeded the long-serving Michael Edwards as Sporting Director.
Last November we reported that Ward would be leaving the club.
Fenway Sports Group President Mike Gordon, who acts as a conduit between the football operation and the club’s owners, told the club's official website: “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.”
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