Klopp ‘ally’ becomes ‘surprise frontrunner’ for ‘crucial’ Liverpool role ahead of huge summer | OneFootball

Liverpool are expected to appoint an ‘ally’ of Jurgen Klopp as the club’s new sporting director, according to reports.

The Reds lost long-term sporting director Michael Edwards last summer, with his successor Julian Ward quickly following him out the door.

Edwards is very highly rated in his field of work and it is strongly believed that a lot of the club’s recent success has been down to their excellent recruitment.

Klopp has led Liverpool to one Premier League title, an FA Cup, a Carabao Cup, and three Champions League finals – one of which the Reds came out victorious.

Ahead of a critical summer transfer window, the Anfield club are looking to appoint a new sporting director.

Liverpool are expected to sign at least two new midfielders. Argentina World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister is reportedly close to agreeing a deal to join them from Brighton.

According to Sunday’s print version of The Telegraph, former Wolfsburg managing director Jorg Schmadtke is set to become the Premier League side’s new sporting director.

Schmadtke is ‘known for his outspoken style’ and is an ‘ally’ of Reds manager Klopp.

Talks have ‘accelarated’ and the 59-year-old is now the ‘surprise frontrunner’ for Edwards’ old job having been out of work since leaving Wolfsburg in January.

As well as his outspoken style, Schmadtke has grown a great reputation for ‘recruitment that gets value for the budgets he is assigned’.

The sporting director role is ‘crucial’ for Klopp and ‘it has come under scrutiny’ this season with several injuries highlighting the poor recruitment last summer and in the winter transfer window.

Klopp’s ally will arrive with a ‘wealth of experience and robust sense of humour’ and will ‘work closely’ with scouts Dave Fallows and Barry Hunter.

Schmadtke has previously admitted that he has had some difficult relationships with managers.

“There are technical things, it’s about the job,” he told Kicker. “And there are things outside of the job that I don’t have a problem with.

“There are even people who want to see me again and have a coffee or a beer with me. I am not as big an ass as you may think.”

Fabrizio Romano also confirmed that Liverpool are in ‘concrete talks’ to appoint Schmadtke.

The Italian journalist says Klopp ‘knows him well’ with ‘negotiations now advancing’.

Liverpool’s transfer business could be hindered if they finish outside the Champions League places.

Saturday’s win against Brentford maintained their excellent run of form and has given them an outside chance of finishing inside the top four.

They are now one point behind fourth-placed Manchester United, though Erik ten Hag’s side have two games in hand.

Klopp and his players will hope the Red Devils slip up on Sunday in their match away to West Ham.