Liverpool suffer fresh setback in director search despite 'striking agreement'

01 November 2023 , 11:46

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Liverpool suffer fresh setback in director search despite 'striking agreement'

Former RB Leipzig sporting director Max Eberl has his heart set on joining Bayern Munich despite strong interest from Liverpool.

The Reds are currently searching for a long-term successor to Julian Ward, who stood down at the end of last season just months after filling the void left by Michael Edwards. Jorg Schmadtke subsequently arrived at Anfield on a short-team deal to aid Jurgen Klopp in the summer transfer window but is not expected to remain on Merseyside beyond the current campaign.

Eberl has earned plenty of plaudits for the impressive work he's done in Germany prior to leaving Leipzig and is one of the most coveted footballing officials around. With that being said, it should come as no surprise that Liverpool have encountered competition in their bid to lure him to the Premier League.

According to German outlet Bild, Eberl is wanted by both Liverpool and Bayern Munich, even though the latter only appointed Christoph Freund in a similar position earlier this year. While Eberl is said to be 'honoured' at the interest being shown in him by Liverpool, he would prefer to remain in Germany with Bayern.

Eberl left his role with Leipzig back in September and is currently observing a period of gardening leave. It has been claimed elsewhere, though, that the sought-after 50-year-old has already agreed to return to work.

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French outlet Sports Zone is reporting that Eberl has an agreement in place with Bayern Munich, however, it is believed he has also provisionally agreed to link up with Liverpool should the terms of his departure from Leipzig prevent him from working with their big Bundesliga rivals.

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Former RB Leipzig sporting director Max Eberl is a target for both Liverpool and Bayern Munich (Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

While it remains to be seen if Liverpool's pursuit of Eberl will bear fruit, the Reds are far from the only side in the Premier League currently searching for a new sporting director.

Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe is believed to have made overhauling Manchester United's structure a priority should his £1.4billion proposal for a minority stake in the club be ratified in the coming weeks.

Ratcliffe would assume control over sporting matters at Old Trafford with as part of the agreement for a 25 per cent stake in the club and is mulling over a number of potential candidates, including both Ward and Edwards.

United chief executive Richard Arnold is another figure who is expected to depart the club if Ratcliffe's bid is successful. His proposal is now the sole offer on the table after Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani withdrew his offer for 100 per cent of the club.

Dan Marsh