Liverpool are currently in the process of appointing a new Sporting Director, and Tim Steidten has emerged as a potential candidate for the position, as reported by Sky Sports correspondent Florian Plettenberg.
Jorg Schmadtke, who temporarily assumed the role of Liverpool’s sporting director in June, is set to depart from the club at the end of the January transfer window.
During his tenure, Schmadtke played a crucial role in overseeing the football operations department and managing both incoming and outgoing transfers.
The 59-year-old brought valuable experience from similar roles at Wolfsburg, Cologne, Hannover, and Alemannia Aachen to his responsibilities with the Reds.
His departure marks the beginning of a search for a suitable replacement, with Tim Steidten emerging as a potential candidate for the prestigious position.
The appointment of a new Sporting Director will be a significant development for Liverpool as they navigate the complexities of football operations and player management.
He said: “Liverpool is a very special club so to have had the opportunity to work here has been a huge honour for me, even though I knew from the outset that it would only be for a short period.
“I would like to thank everyone – the owners, manager, staff, players and fans – for the support I have been given and offer my best wishes for the rest of this season.”
Schmadtke’s departure necessitates the appointment of another Sporting Director for Liverpool.
Former Liverpool Sporting Director Michael Edwards was approached by Mike Gordon, the president of Liverpool owner Fenway Sports Group (FSG), with the idea of taking on a senior role within the club or FSG to oversee ongoing restructuring efforts.
The conversation between Gordon and Edwards occurred over the weekend, triggered by the surprising news on Friday that Jurgen Klopp would be leaving at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Despite the potential for a significant role in the restructuring process, Edwards made it clear during the conversation that he would not be returning to the club.
Edwards officially left his role in May 2022, and his former assistant Julian Ward succeeded him however, Ward also departed from the sporting director position at the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
Following a break, the 44-year-old teamed up with the club’s former research guru, Ian Graham, to launch a data advisory company named Ludonautics.
The company is actively providing advice to football clubs, including Bolton Wanderers, utilizing their expertise in data analysis and research.
With the impending vacancy, several names have surfaced as potential candidates for the Sporting Director role, with Tim Steidten being among those linked to the position.
The search for a suitable candidate intensifies as Liverpool look to fill this crucial role in the wake of key departures from the club’s leadership.
Florian Plettenberg says that Steidten is happy at West Ham United as their Technical Director and there has been no direct contact with Liverpool as of now.
He has played a pivotal role in facilitating significant signings for the club, including Edson Alvarez, James Ward-Prowse, Mohamed Kudus, Kalvin Phillips, and others.
Speculation surrounds Steidten’s working relationship with West Ham boss David Moyes, with suggestions that it may not be perfect.
The 44-year-old has a background that includes rising through the ranks at Werder Bremen, where he made notable signings such as Serge Gnabry and facilitated the loan of Kevin De Bruyne from Chelsea.
His career progressed to becoming the director of football at Werder Bremen in 2017 before joining Bayer Leverkusen in 2019.
At Leverkusen, he played a crucial role in recruiting players like Moussa Diaby, Jeremie Frimpong, and Piero Hincapie.
Steidten was instrumental in bringing Xabi Alonso to Bayer Leverkusen as a manager. Interestingly, Alonso is now among the favorites to replace Jurgen Klopp as the manager of Liverpool.
Read More Liverpool Coverage:
- Virgil Van Dijk Casts Doubt Over Liverpool Future
- Liverpool Midfielder Will Not Feature In Premier League Clash With Chelsea
- Liverpool Defender Calvin Ramsay Joins Bolton Wanderers On Loan For Rest Of Season
- Michael Edwards Turned Down Chance To Rejoin Liverpool
- Liverpool Midfielder Bobby Clark Could Seal Loan Move Away From Anfield
- Xabi Alonso Considered Frontrunner To Replace Jurgen Klopp As Liverpool Manager