Sir Jim Ratcliffe could spoil Liverpool's plans after Michael Edwards snub
Liverpool are admirers of OGC Nice sporting director, Florent Ghisolfi, but it's thought Ineos will try to resist any approaches for the Frenchman in the coming months.
The Reds are currently in the market for a new manager after Jurgen Klopp announced he would be standing down at the end of the season, however, the club also have to source a new sporting director following the expiration of Jorg Schmadtke's short-term contract.
Schmadtke was drafted in to help Liverpool oversee the summer transfer window following the departure of Julian Ward and was always viewed as a temporary fix rather than a permanent solution. The Anfield hierarchy are now seeking a long-term appointment, though, and Ghisolfi is one name who is of interest.
According to The Athletic, the 38-year-old is appreciated by the Liverpool owners, Fenway Sports Group. He has held his current position at Nice, who are run by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos, since October 2022.
While the report goes on to outline that Nice want to retain Ghisolfi's services and would attempt to resist any approaches made for him, it remains to be seen if they would be able to successfully repel advances from the current Premier League leaders.
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The former midfielder may be held in high regard by Ineos, however, there has been no suggestion that he could take up a similar role at Manchester United. Ratcliffe's deal for a 25 per cent stake in his boyhood club was formally ratified on Tuesday evening after months of talks and speculation.
Ghisolfi may fit the bill for Liverpool in their search for a new sporting director but he is far from the only candidate on their shortlist. Frederic Massara is also of interest and the former AC Milan chief would be available to start immediately given he is currently on gardening leave.
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos are expected to fight to keep Ghisolfi at Nice (PA)Liverpool may be casting the net elsewhere in their search for a sporting director but they did initially reach out to gauge whether or not Michael Edwards would be interested in a return to the club.
It's said that the Reds offered Edwards - who spent more than a decade at Anfield before walking away in 2022 - a more senior role in the current set-up. He is happy with his current role at Ludonautics, the sports advisory company of Liverpool's former director of research, Ian Graham, and will not be returning.
Away from Liverpool's sporting director search, Bayer Leverkusen head coach and former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso has quickly emerged as the leading contender to replace Klopp.
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