Jorg Schmadtke makes decision on Liverpool exit ahead of January transfer window

20 December 2023 , 11:15

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Jorg Schmadtke makes decision on Liverpool exit ahead of January transfer window

Liverpool sporting director Jorg Schmadtke is still planning to leave the club at the end of the season but will provide support in the upcoming January transfer window.

The 59-year-old is an ally of manager Jurgen Klopp and was drafted in last summer on a short-team deal following Julian Ward 's decision to stand down. Schmadtke had previously worked in a similar position at Wolfsburg for four years prior to his arrival at Anfield.

Liverpool were busy in the transfer market ahead of the 2023/24 campaign as Klopp set about rebuilding his beleaguered midfield. And despite the success of that window, there has been no change in the long-term plans involving Schmadtke and the Reds.

According to a new report from Sky Germany, Schmadtke will stand down from his position next summer, meaning Liverpool will once again be on the lookout for a new sporting director.

Before his departure, the German will continue to aid Klopp in the winter window, where Liverpool could seek a central defender in the wake of Joel Matip 's season-ending ACL injury.

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Klopp had previously played down the chances of Liverpool dipping into the market after confirming Matip had suffered a serious injury. However, a new report from The Mail indicates that stance has now softened, with the Reds now 'alert to opportunities'.

Join the debate! Where do you think Liverpool need to strengthen in January? Let us know here.

Liverpool sporting director Jorg Schmadtke is still expected to leave at the end of the season ((Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images))

It seems highly likely that any potential transfer business will be dependant on price given the Reds splashed out a significant sum of money to rebuild their engine room in the summer, with Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch all coming through the door.

Sporting Clube de Portugal centre-back Goncalo Inacio, who has recently been linked with Arsenal, has already been touted as a potential Liverpool target but the 22-year-old has a £51million release clause. Wolfsberg's Maxence Lacroix is another name of interest.

Once Schmadtke does depart, it remains to be seen who Liverpool will target as his successor. Former RB Leipzig sporting director Max Eberl was touted as a target earlier this year but he reportedly has his heart set on taking up a similar role at Bayern Munich.

Intriguingly, Liverpool's arch-rivals Manchester United are also on the lookout for a sporting director. They are expected to make an appointment sooner rather than later, though, to coincide with Sir Jim Ratcliffe 's acquisition of a minority stake in the club.

Dan Marsh