New Liverpool sporting director Jorg Schmadtke explains his role at the club

Jorg Schmadtke explains his role at Liverpool and reveals that Jurgen Klopp will set the priorities

Jorg Schmadtke, who was earlier confirmed as the new sporting director of Liverpool, explained his role at the club.

The former Wolfsburg director has initially signed a three-month deal with the club that will oversee the coming summer transfer window. If things go well in this period, then a possible extension is on the cards.

While explaining his role at Liverpool, Schmadtke admitted that Jurgen Klopp will set the priorities and have the final say in transfers. His job would be to complete the deals and work on the tangibles.

Jorg Schmadtke explains his role at Liverpool and reveals that Jurgen Klopp will set the priorities. — New Liverpool sporting director explains his role at the club. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Here’s what the German said (h/t Sport1, via Liverpool Echo):

“The influence of the coach on transfers is greater in England than in Germany, where a sports director holds everything in one hand.

“Jurgen Klopp sets the priorities. We set him up with a team of data analysts, scouts and so on, so he can then choose from a list of players who he wants to work with. Then I’ll deal with the transfers with the responsible departments in the club. And, in the end, the owners have to be satisfied with the investments.

“If we like each other, we can work together beyond the transfer window. Let’s see. Then we continue or not.”

What this quote tells us is that Klopp has a greater say in transfers now. While it is good because he is the one who deals with players every day, it kind of diminishes the good work done by the scouts, data analysts and sporting director.

For example, Klopp wanted to sign Julian Brandt in the summer of 2017, while the sporting director and analysts had Mohamed Salah shortlisted. The latter arrived and they say – the rest is history.

To explain this in simpler terms, Klopp is probably one of the best managers to ever grace this game. But, he has admitted the reliance on people around him is there for the right pieces of information.

So, as long as he is just having the final word on transfers and not overruling the work done by the staff behind the scenes, it is all good and well. Let’s hope that is the case because we want the German to focus on coaching the players and moulding them into an elite team once again.