Journalist shares why Liverpool’s talks with Jorg Schmadtke are taking longer than expected

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool have altered their initial plan for what Jorg Schmadtke’s role at the club would be.

That’s according to German journalist Christian Falk. Writing for CaughtOffside yesterday, Falk claimed that Liverpool had initially had the idea to hire Schmadtke in an external consultancy capacity.

The journalist says that this would have likely been on a short-term monthly basis. However, as talks have gone on, Falk suggests that the Reds are now looking for ‘something more’ from the 59-year-old.

“The negotiations are very far in for Jorg Schmadtke, I heard,” wrote the journalist. “He thought about retiring after leaving Wolfsburg in January. He said his wife is now making the decision and if in the next three months she can’t stand him anymore he has to go out and work again.

“So, I think it’s not easy for him to be coming back into a full-time job in July, especially not in Germany. I heard the talks started with the idea of an external consultant position working just for transfers. This idea included just a few months, especially the summer transfer window. Now the talks are looking at something more, which is why they are taking longer than expected. At a minimum, it will be a consultant role. If Liverpool wants and gets more from Schmadtke – that remains to be see.”

Schmadtke talks drag on

Most Liverpool supporters would probably be more comfortable with their club sticking to the original plan here. Schmadtke is unproven at the very top level in football and may not be a good fit at Anfield.

Given his own personal circumstances, it would perhaps make more sense to get him in on a freelance basis initially. If he did well in a busy summer for Liverpool, then the idea of a more full-time role could be opened up.

With no confirmation either way, maybe that’s what will still end up happening with Schmadtke.

But the fact that talks are seemingly dragging on would suggest some complications. With the end of the season now just two weeks away, Liverpool could do with some clarity.

Jurgen Klopp is reportedly keen to get all incoming business done by the time pre-season begins on July 8th. Bearing that in mind, Schmadtke – or whoever it may be – needs to get to work immediately.

With so much on the docket for the next couple of months, the Reds need to get this decision right. If talks are dragging on, maybe it’s best to cut and run.