The man who brought Mkhitaryan to Arsenal is ‘interested’ in becoming Liverpool sporting director | OneFootball

Former Arsenal head of recruitment Sven Mislintat wants to become the new Liverpool sporting director, according to reports.

It was revealed a week ago that the Reds’ current sporting director, Julian Ward, will leave Anfield at the end of the current season.

Ward assumed duties from his predecessor Michael Edwards, who was widely credited with much of the Reds’ recent success in the transfer market, in the summer but has chosen to leave as it is understood he wishes to take a break after more than a decade at the club.

His decision was unexpected and is understood to have been greeted with disappointment within the club, although they are confident the continuity which saw him succeed Edwards will again provide them with some stability, underpinned by long-standing senior staff including Dave Fallows (head of recruitment) and Barry Hunter (chief scout) who continue to have a central roles.

And Sky Germany claim that Mislintat is ‘interested in succeeding’ Ward at Liverpool as he looks to move back to the Premier League after his spell at Arsenal.

Mislintat earned the nickname ‘Diamond Eye’ at Borussia Dortmund after making some great signings at the Westfalenstadion.

But in hindsight he is not held in such high regard by Arsenal supporters, who saw him bring Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendouzi, Bernd Leno, Sokratis, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan to the Emirates.

He has worked with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp before at Dortmund but Sky Germany says there ‘have been no concrete negotiations yet but Mislintat is open to taking over when Ward leaves Anfield at the end of the season’,

Mislintat is said to still have a ‘good connection’ with Klopp after recommending a number of players to his compatriot during his time as Dortmund chief scout.

Jamie Carragher is concerned about Ward’s departure coming so soon after FSG put the club up for sale, with the potential for huge upheaval at Liverpool.

“It’s not ideal because when you are talking about recruiting players a person in that role is heavily involved not just for right now, the January transfer window, but you’re talking about the summer as well,” Carragher told Sky Sports News last week.

“It does feel like a little bit of a shock and I think it is a little bit of a worry for Liverpool right now.

“There seems to be a lot of upheaval behind the scenes in terms of the ownership, Michael Edwards has moved on and Julian Ward came in to replace him and now he’s gone as well.

“I don’t think it will be easy to get someone (for sporting director) straight away and if it is unexpected for Liverpool I’m sure they are not prepared for that right now.”