Jorg Schmadtke has been confirmed as Liverpool's new sporting director as he replaces the departing Julian Ward.
The 59-year-old takes up the important position at Anfield after gathering experience from similar roles during his time in the Bundesliga. Schmadtke will be tasked with overseeing the transfer operation on Merseyside as they look to build successfully during the summer.
Alexis Mac Allister, Mason Mount and Ryan Gravenberch are all among the players being considered for moves to L4 ahead of the upcoming campaign as the window opens next month. With four out-of-contract players leaving, change is afoot for the Reds. The German will oversee the operations alongside fellow countryman Jurgen Klopp from June 1.
DONE DEAL: Liverpool appoint new sporting director as Jorg Schmadtke role confirmed
STADIUM: Incredible footage shows moment Anfield Road End roof is removed
Here is what people have said about Schmadtke ahead of his upcoming first days at the AXA Training Centre...
Dietmar Hamann on Jorg Schmadtke
Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has said previously the role at the Reds 'won't be easy' due to the competition within the Premier League.
The German midfielder has been critical of Jurgen Klopp and his side at times throughout the season. But he believes the appointment is positive for Liverpool. He said to i: "He won’t be taken for a ride. He’s a very capable man, but it’s a big job because in a short space of time you need to bring players in.
"You need the money for one, and while Liverpool is still a big pull, you are competing with the likes of Manchester City, Newcastle, Real Madrid, Barcelona. It will be interesting but it won’t be easy.
"He’s done a great job wherever he was. The last few years he was at Wolfsburg and he said he wants to pack it in [and retire]. He said that’s it, he had somebody else in place, but did say well maybe in six months’ time the missus kicks me out the house because I’m at home too often, and then it might be a different story.
"If you get the opportunity to go to Liverpool you have to take it. He’s a very likeable guy and he knows his stuff. But he’s got to get to know the club now. The area, the people. He will know the players, but he’s got to get these deals over the line which won’t be easy because the competition is strong."
Niko Kovac on Jorg Schmadtke
Niko Kovac worked with the German director with VfL Wolfsburg before his departure at the turn of the year. The former Bayern Munich boss was appointed as the new head coach at the Volkswagen Arena.
The 51-year-old tipped Schmadtke to succeed in the "best league in the world". He said at the beginning of May: "I played with him in Leverkusen so we were teammates and he was with me half-a-year in Wolfsburg.
"He's a smart guy, nice guy, he's a funny guy, he has a nice humour. Sometimes someone isn't understanding his humour but I understood it very well so I think he has the qualities to work in the best league in the world.
"The Bundesliga is also one of the top five but everybody knows the best players, the best coaches they are in England and he is now or maybe in England."
Jurgen Klopp on Jorg Schmadtke
Liverpool manager Klopp previously spoke of his hopes to work with his fellow countryman prior to his supposed retirement from Die Wolves.
But as talks accelerated and it became clear that the former sporting director was the frontrunner to replace Ward and the Reds manager spoke of Schmadtke's quality.
"If it happens, it would not be a Jurgen Klopp signing because we are both German or both know each other," said the Liverpool boss. "That would have nothing to do with it. I can say that.
"Jorg Schmadtke I have known a long, long time. He knows me probably not as long as I know him, because he was a much better player.
"But we started in a similar moment our second career, I became a coach at Mainz and he became sporting director at Aachen. Two teams of similar status, so from there we know each other a little bit.
"I know he is a good guy and a smart guy. Very good at what he did in Germany, definitely, very successful. His character is good, his personality is good, his humour is good. I know that from a few moments next to the pitch."
Erik Meijer on Jorg Schmadtke
Liverpool icon Erik Meijer hailed Schmadtke's ability to improve playing squads with his additions.
Klopp is another tactician who has been lauded for his ability to take players to the next level, as we have seen with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
Meijer believes the pair will go hand-in-hand, he said: "Jorg finds managers that can make clubs better and players that managers can make better. And that is what Jurgen Klopp loves; players you can make better, he never wants the finished article.
"He much prefers being with those who know their best days are in front of them. Jurgen, I believe, respects him a lot. He wants people around him that are the best at their jobs.
"Jurgen has never said he knows the answer for everything. He doesn't want people who will only say yes or do what he says. Jorg is his own man and not afraid to speak out when he has a strong view."
Meijer, 53, added: "If you look at Jorg, he always seems to have a stern face, like he's waiting to criticise, but that's just him wanting the very best he can get from a situation. He's always looking for perfection - if that's possible. Sometimes it means he has to be hard with what he says.
"He isn't afraid to speak out. If you want to be good, you have to be hard. Sometimes people don't like it."
Michael Reschke on Jorg Schmadtke
Michael Reschke is an experienced sporting director, with Bayern Munich, VfB Stuttgart and Bayer Leverkusen on his CV. He now works as a consultant in Germany. Speaking to German news outlet RAN after Liverpool's appointment, he praised Schmadtke and his "special scouting eye".
But he believes while the situation is difficult at Anfield following a disappointing campaign, the plan shouldn't be to work to a long-term project but to build the squad.
"Jörg Schmadtke has a very experienced, special scouting eye and is clever and very successful in transfer transactions. I can only congratulate Liverpool FC," he said.
"Of course the current situation in Liverpool is difficult. They were a bit reluctant in some transfer windows and everyone at the club, especially the owners, knows that something has to change,"
"It's all about the current squad situation now. Jörg shouldn't work as a sports director who pushes long-term projects such as the redesign of the youth area or creates new structures. His full attention is on the most important construction site in this period, squad planning.
"He doesn't have the task of turning the club inside out. It's about intelligently and strategically optimizing the squad. Jörg has to delve deep into the current team, into the existing contract situations and the internationally interesting transfer market. Then it's about the economic opportunities to find the best solutions."
READ NEXT
Liverpool could make 'third attempt' to sign player for two positions who is available for free
Jorg Schmadtke best signings so far as Liverpool confirm new sporting director
Jorg Schmadtke 'poor but sexy' strategy saw him sign 'mad' Liverpool striker
James Milner on why he's leaving, possible return and what happened vs Barcelona
Join the Liverpool ECHO's LFC transfer news and top stories WhatsApp community
