Liverpool identify Julian Ward replacement, Klopp knows him well

Liverpool have identified Sven Mislintat as a successor to Reds sporting director Julian Ward, according to reports.

Last week Ward announced he would leave his position as sporting director after less than a year in the post.

Ward inherited the role from Michael Edwards, who was widely credited with much of the Reds’ successful recruitment over the past decade.

In Ward’s short spell in charge of recruitment he brought in Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, however, it is now understood he wishes to take a break after more than 10 years at the club.

His decision was unexpected and has reportedly been greeted with disappointment at the club.

Sven Mislintat

Former Arsenal head of recruitment Mislintat has been linked with the vacant Liverpool sporting director role.

Sky Sports have claimed the 50-year-old, who worked with Jurgen Klopp while both were at Borussia Dortmund, is open to taking over the role on Merseyside when Ward leaves at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg tweeted: “[Mislintat] is a candidate in order to replace Ward as a Sporting Director at #LFC in summer 2023!

“No concrete negotiations yet but he‘s open for Liverpool. Relation to Klopp still brilliant. They have worked together in Dortmund (08-15).”

Mislintat reportedly has a good relationship with Klopp from their time at Dortmund, where the scout is credited with spotting the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ousmane Dembele.

The German, who is nicknamed ‘Diamond eye’ for his ability to spot talent, also spent 14 months at Arsenal between 2017 and 2019, where he signed the likes of Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira.

Mislintat left, however, as Arsenal changed their internal recruitment structures. He subsequently spent three years at Stuttgart.