Insiders at Liverpool have dismissed claims that Monaco sporting director Paul Mitchell will replace Julian Ward at Anfield.
Ward is set to leave his role at Liverpool after just 12 months this summer. As one of the most highly-rated sporting directors in the game, Mitchell has inevitably been suggested as a possible successor.
But as per the Liverpool Echo, that isn’t likely to happen. They cite ‘sources at the club’ as having ‘distanced themselves’ from the former Southampton man.
It’s also reported that any signings made next summer will be considered ‘Ward signings,’ as the incumbent sees out his term.
In the meantime, the current sporting director is said to be ‘pursuing’ both Jude Bellingham and Matheus Nunes. Neither player will be brought in before today’s transfer deadline, though.
Liverpool gearing up to replace Ward
This isn’t a wholly unexpected position from Liverpool. Should they already be lining up a replacement for Ward, and it’s likely that they will, it’s unlikely to become public knowledge.
So, for those hoping to see Mitchell at Anfield, we wouldn’t give up hope just yet.
On the face of it, the former Wigan Athletic player would be a great fit at Liverpool. The Reds clearly loved his work at Southampton, where he was involved in bringing the likes of Sadio Mane to the club.
Having also been employed by RB Leipzig, he’s got a couple of Liverpool’s favoured clubs to buy from on his CV.
As a result, why not cut out the middle man and go straight to the source? There’s no doubt that the sporting director role is different at Liverpool right now to at those clubs a rung or two below.
But the Reds could do with getting back to the data-led approach that brought them so much success. And Mitchell is one of the best around. Hailed as having ‘exceptionally high standards’ by former Southampton scout David Webb, Liverpool shouldn’t rule him out.
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