Former Arsenal transfer chief Sven Mislintat has reportedly expressed an interest in taking the soon-to-be-vacant sporting director post at Liverpool.
Current incumbent Julian Ward has confirmed he will leave Anfield at the end of the season after just one year in his role. Ward had been on Liverpool's staff for a number of years before taking on his new role when Michael Edwards stepped away from the club.
Mislintat worked with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund before moving to Arsenal, and oversaw a number of signings - including what was at the time a club-record move for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - before leaving in 2019. Now, after leaving Bundesliga club Stuttgart, the 50-year-old is said to have his sights set on a return to the Premier League.
According to Sky Sport in Germany, Mislintat is "a candidate" for the vacancy, though there have not been any concrete negotiations between the parties at this stage. The German is said to be open to the post, and is understood to still have a good relationship with Klopp from their time together in the Bundesliga.
Mislintat was behind a number of high-profile success stories with Dortmund. He brought Robert Lewandowski to Signal Iduna Park, as well as adding the likes of Aubameyang, Shinji Kagawa and Ousmane Dembele to the club's ranks.
His recruitment was less successful at Arsenal, though. He brought in eight players between 2017 at a combined cost of £129m, but all eight have now left north London.
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AFP /AFP via Getty Images)Liverpool would not need to pay any compensation if they choose to appoint Mislintat. He spent time with Bundesliga side Stuttgart after leaving Arsenal, but has now left the German side after turning down a new contract offer.
“During our discussions, we failed to find common ground to continue my work at VfB," Mislintat said in a statement. "I regret that very much because VfB has become a real labour of love for me in recent years and I’d have liked to continue to play my part in the positive development of this great club.
"I’ll never forget my time in Stuttgart – emotional highlights like our promotion or the last-minute victory on the final day of last season will stay with me forever. I thank everyone who accompanied and supported me on my journey, and wish the team and the great fans all the best.”
“Sven has decided not to accept our contract offer, which we regret," club CEO Alex Wehrle said. "Ending the negotiations now is a mutual decision made by everyone involved, but it doesn’t change our mutual appreciation for one another.
"Sven Mislintat was part of our team for three and a half years and has always been passionately committed to VfB. We owe him our thanks and our respect for his efforts. Sven Mislintat will always be welcome in Stuttgart and at VfB.”