Four Jorg Schmadtke transfer misses as Liverpool confirm sporting director appointment

Liverpool have confirmed the appointment of Jorg Schmadtke as their new sporting director, with the German taking over the role from the outgoing Julian Ward.

The 59-year-old joins Anfield after a four-and-a-half year spell at Bundesliga club Wolfsburg, a role he left in February.

However, transfer business may now ramp up following the appointment of Schmadtke, who has had a largely successful record during spells as sporting director at Wolfsburg, Koln and Hannover.

At Wolfsburg, he brought young talents such as Ridle Baku, Maxence Lacroix and Patrick Wimmer to the club, with all three players showing they have undoubted potential.

Maximilian Philipp (Dynamo Moscow to Wolfsburg, 2021)

German forward Maximilian Philipp joined Wolfsburg on a season-long loan deal from Russian side Dynamo Moscow in 2020.

The initial move was an undoubted success. The forward netted six goals in 27 appearances as the Wolves secured Champions League qualification.

That form prompted Schmadtke and Wolfsburg to sign him permanently for the following campaign. But he scored just one goal in 22 appearances in the following campaign, and has spent this season on loan at Werder Bremen.

Dodi Lukebakio (Hertha Berlin to Wolfsburg, 2021)

Dodi Lukebakio joined Wolfsburg on loan from Hertha Berlin in the summer of 2021. But the move simply didn't work out for the right winger, as he scored just once in 25 games in all competitions.

Victor Osimhen (Wolfsburg to Charleroi, 2019)

Victor Osimhen signed a pre-contract with Wolfsburg in January 2016 after impressing at the U17 World Cup. He officially joined the club a year later, before spending the 2018/19 season on loan at Belgian Pro League side Charleroi.

Schmadtke included an option to buy clause in his loan contract, and Charleroi activated it to sign him for €3.5 million. Later that window, the Belgian club sold him on Lille for around €25 million.