Liverpool appoint 59-year-old German Jorg Schmadtke as new sporting director

Liverpool Football Club has appointed Jorg Schmadtke as their new sporting director.

The 59-year-old German, who previously held a similar role at Bundesliga side Wolfsburg for over four years, will officially assume his position on June 1, pending the completion of work permit formalities.

Schmadtke will be taking over from Julian Ward, who is set to depart the club this summer after more than a decade of service. Fenway Sports Group president, Mike Gordon, expressed his warm welcome to Schmadtke, acknowledging the wealth of knowledge and experience he will bring to the role.

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Schmadtke will be working closely with Liverpool’s football operations department to provide support for manager Jurgen Klopp, as part of the club’s ongoing growth and development.

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Gordon also bid a fond farewell to Julian Ward, recognizing his diligent, determined, and energetic contributions to Liverpool FC throughout his various roles, including his most recent one as sporting director. The club expressed gratitude for Ward’s efforts over the past 11 years and wished him and his family all the best for their future endeavors.

Jorg Schmadtke, a former goalkeeper, had an extensive playing career in the Bundesliga, featuring for Fortuna Dusseldorf, Freiburg, Bayer Leverkusen, and Borussia Monchengladbach. After retiring from playing, Schmadtke transitioned into the administrative side of football, serving at clubs such as Cologne, Hannover, and Alemannia Aachen before joining Wolfsburg.

Schmadtke joins Liverpool after a challenging season, as acknowledged by manager Jurgen Klopp, where the club finished fifth in the Premier League and failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.

His appointment aims to contribute to the club’s efforts to bounce back and strive for success in the future.