Liverpool’s attempts to steady the ship at Anfield following Jurgen Klopp’s announcement that he would be leaving at the end of the season have been dealt a blow. Reds fans are still reeling from the news that this season will represent the last at the helm of the German boss, with coaching staff colleagues Pepijn Lijnders, Peter Krawietz and Vitor Mato all set to follow him out of the door.
And in another worrying development, the club have also confirmed that sporting director Jorg Schmadtke will leave his position at the same time his compatriot departs. The 59-year-old came out of retirement out of retirement to replace Julian Ward last year and oversaw the signings of Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo in the summer transfer window.
According to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have now sought to reappoint Michael Edwards in his old role. Edwards departed in 2022 after 11 years at the club, a tenure which oversaw them win the Champions League, Premier League, League Cup, FA Cup, European Super Cup and World Club Cup.
However Edwards, who has since formed a data consultancy company, has seemingly ruled out a return. He’s reportedly told FSG that he has no interest in working in football at this current time despite the owners promising him the power to oversee a potential restructure.
The latest development will exacerbate fears of fans concerned about a club exodus this summer. Captain Virgil van Dijk has been non-committal when asked by reporters whether Klopp leaving would affect his future, while Mo Salah has been touted for a huge money move to Saudi Arabia.
Klopp himself though, isn’t appearing to panic. In is press conference on Tuesday, he insisted that the club would “stay calm” and accused media figures of trying to destabilise the campaign for his squad.
“Write what you want – this club is stable, 100 per cent,” he argued. “And everything will be fine, and the rest…..we have to get through this. We have to get through questions and we have to give some answers and that’s how it is.
“But the people recommend to stay calm in this department, massively. You under estimate the IQ of our supporters. There is nothing to worry about at this moment in time – we are in this season.”
Klopp’s immediate focus will be on maintaining a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League. Tonight, Liverpool host Chelsea before a potentially pivotal game away to Arsenal on Sunday.
