Jurgen Klopp's preferred candidate for sporting director in discussions with Liverpool

According to sources, Liverpool has engaged in discussions with Jorg Schmadtke to fill their sporting director vacancy, which is set to be vacated by Julian Ward at the end of the current season. The 59-year-old former Wolfsburg leader is believed to be manager Jurgen Klopp's top pick for the role. Additionally, Fenway Sports Group views appointing Schmadtke as a commitment to Klopp and a means of involving him in more prominent decision-making processes. Klopp believes it is essential to have a sporting director and suggested that most football clubs today have one. Schmadtke, a former goalkeeper for Fortuna Dusseldorf and Freiburg, has previously served as a director for Koln and Hannover 96. Most recently, he oversaw Wolfsburg's fourth-place finish in the previous season, earning the club a spot in the Champions League.

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