“Two new names are being considered by Liverpool for the role of sporting director.”

Reds are “going to fill the critical position PRIOR to selecting Jurgen Klopp’s successor.”

According to reports, Liverpool has selected two new individuals to be their next sporting director.

Jorg Schmadtke left the job at the end of the January transfer window, leaving it empty at Anfield, and the Reds have started looking for someone to take his place.

Following Michael Edwards’ departure from the club in 2022 after 11 years, Liverpool has had three different sporting directors. This time around, the club is searching for a longer-term solution.

The Athletic reports that Liverpool is taking into consideration Florent Ghisolfi, the sporting director of Nice, and Frederic Massara, the former director of football at AC Milan.

Due to his quick availability, Massara—who was also formerly employed by Roma—is an appealing alternative for Liverpool while he is on gardening leave.

The appointment of Frederic Massara, a former director of football at AC Milan, as Liverpool’s new sporting director is being considered.

He was instrumental in the club’s acquisition of Lille’s star winger Rafael Leao (centre).

Liverpool may try to sign Nice sporting director Florent Ghisolfi (above), whom they also find admirable.

At the 2022 Globe Soccer Awards, he and Paolo Maldini were named Sporting Directors of the Year following Milan’s first Serie A championship since 2011.

Rafael Leao and Fikayo Tomori, who have both recently thrived at the San Siro, were signed thanks in large part to Massara.

The owners of Liverpool, FSG, also think highly of Ghisolfi, although he would be a more challenging player to sign.

Nice is controlled by INEOS, which, thanks to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment, now owns a 25% share in Manchester United. The Ligue 1 team will probably try to maintain Ghisolfi.

Since taking over as Nice’s coach in October 2022, Ghisolfi has been commended for both his hiring practices and his ability to navigate complex circumstances like administrative turnover. Nice has had three coaches since Ghisolfi’s appointment.

Nice is currently one point behind Brest in second position in the French premier flight, having finished third thus far.

Apart from Massara and Ghisolfi, FSG extended their welcome to Edwards’ return and contacted him shortly after Jurgen Klopp declared he would be departing at the end of the current campaign.

Although Edwards is reportedly content in his current position at the sports advice firm Ludonautics, Liverpool may find it difficult to persuade him to come back.

FSG president Mike Gordon is in charge of the hunt, and Liverpool is hoping to schedule a meeting as soon as possible to begin making plans for the summer and beyond.

The Merseyside team is looking to appoint a new sporting director prior to selecting Klopp’s replacement in the dugout, and should they wait to fill the role, they may lose out on their first choice for manager.

After his excellent performance in Germany, Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso is still the frontrunner to join Liverpool this summer. However, Bayern Munich is keeping an eye on him in case he wants to replace their manager, Thomas Tuchel, who is facing criticism.

Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham, Roberto De Zerbi of Brighton, and Thomas Frank, the manager of Brentford, have also been connected to the Liverpool manager position.