Schmadtke sees great advantage
Klopp is hot for the next Bundesliga stars
07/20/2023, 12:10 p.m
There is a change in personnel at Liverpool FC and coach Jürgen Klopp’s team could soon be back in the Bundesliga. Sports director Jörg Schmadtke recognizes “an attractiveness” on the German transfer market and believes he has an advantage.
Liverpool’s new sports director Jörg Schmadtke does not rule out that the traditional English football club will sign another player from the Bundesliga. “Of course there are always players in Germany who are attractive. Then my experience on the market is in demand. Because of course I know a little bit about how the other side deals with negotiations,” said the 59-year-old in the Sky interview.
The Reds, coached by team manager Jürgen Klopp, had already signed Hungary’s Dominik Szoboszlai as the king’s transfer for 70 million euros from Rasenballsport Leipzig. Schmadtke wants to use his “home advantage”: “The German market is my home market and of course it’s easier for me. But it’s not like we’ve all focused our telescopes on Germany.”
Schmadtke’s future at Klopp open
He sees the task alongside Klopp as a “completely new challenge” that he was happy to accept: “A special number, a different country, different processes. When Liverpool calls, a big one calls. Then you change your mindset and think about whether it might not be a good thing to try something new again. That’s why it turned out that way in the end and I’m very happy about it so far.”
However, Schmadtke’s future at Anfield is not yet clear. “We have signed an annual contract, but we have the opportunity to ask each other in August whether we are both still sure or not. If someone is not sure, then we shake hands and I might get a ticket if I want to drop by,” said the long-time Bundesliga manager (VfL Wolfsburg, 1. FC Köln, Hannover 96).
There is a change in personnel in Liverpool. Roberto Firmino and James Milner have already left the club. Fabinho and Jordan Henderson are set to move to Saudi Arabia. Schmadtke sees himself challenged: “Rejuvenate, keep money together and still be successful in sport.”