FSG 'identify two leading candidates' for Liverpool sporting director role

Liverpool are reportedly considering Frederic Massara and Florent Ghisolfi for the sporting director position.

The Reds need a new backroom boss after Jorg Schmadtke left Anfield at the end of January. Schmadtke took over from Julian Ward, who replaced Michael Edwards last summer.

With manager Jurgen Klopp leaving at the end of the season, there is a big summer on change ahead at Anfield. Liverpool want to hire a sporting director before finding Klopp's replacement.

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Schmadtke was always a temporary choice and now Reds bosses want a long-term appointment. While the original plan was for Klopp to play a role in the search, his exit has changed things.

It means that owners FSG are leading the search as they look for a fresh start. According to The Athletic, Massara and Ghisolfi have emerged as the top choices for the job.

Massara was recently the director of football at AC Milan. He helped build the team that won the Serie A title in 2022 and was named Sporting Director of the Year at the Globe Soccer Awards that same year.

The 55-year-old is currently taking a break after leaving Milan last summer, so he could start right away. His job situation is appealing to Liverpool, while Milan are owned by RedBird Capital, who have a stake in FSG.

The second name on the list is Ghisolfi, who is currently sporting director at Nice. He has experience of dealing with managerial appointments, though his current club are likely to block a move.

Nice are owned by INEOS, who recently bought a stake in Liverpool's fierce rivals Manchester United, and are ready to fight to keep him. When announcing