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Sources: Schmadtke flying to England to finalise short-term Liverpool deal
Jorg Schmadtke will travel to Merseyside this week to put the finishing touches to a deal to become the next sporting director at Liverpool, sources have told Football Insider.
The German will sign a short-term contract with the Reds to succeed Julian Ward in the role he will depart this summer, just 12 months after taking over from Michael Edwards.
Schmadtke will be given the chance to extend his stay should he impress owners Fenway Sports Group during his initial stint.
The 59-year-old has previously worked in similar roles at several German clubs, including Hannover, Koln and, most recently, Wolfsburg.
He will work alongside head of recruitment Dave Fallows and chief scout Barry Hunter on Merseyside as they look to ensure Liverpool bounce back after what has been a difficult season.
However, much of the groundwork for this summer’s transfer business has already been completed, with Jurgen Klopp keen to move quickly in order to know exactly what options he will have available to him when pre-season begins.
The manager opened up about links with Schmadtke last week, insisting that he had not been the main driver behind any potential appointment.
“If it happens, it would not be a Jurgen Klopp signing because we are both German or both know each other. That would have nothing to do with it. I can say that,” he said.
“Jorg Schmadtke [is someone] 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 our second career at a similar moment. 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.
“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.”
In other news, Liverpool close in on box-office signing as release clause revealed.