Reliable journalist Jan Aage Fjortoft has revealed details over Jorg Schmadtke's upcoming deal to become a sporting director at Liverpool via his personal Twitter account.

What is the latest on Jorg Schmadtke to Liverpool?

The Reds have been on the hunt for a fresh sporting director following the news that their current man in the role, Julian Ward, is set to depart Anfield at the end of the season.

Following the announcement that the 41-year-old would be on his way out of Liverpool, Ajax had put together a deal to try and tempt the director into moving to the Netherlands. However, he has instead opted to take a break from football and when he does depart the Premier League side in summer, he will become a free agent.

It means that there is now a gap to be filled in the Reds' sporting director department and with the transfer window set to open again, it is important for the side to try and appoint someone ahead of the beginning of business. It is Jorg Schmadtke who has been identified as the man for them, with the former Wolfsburg director set to join the club's transfer committee to help with potential incomings and outgoings.

Now, Fjortoft has revealed the length of his agreement at Anfield. The journalist stated via his Twitter that the director will be joining the side for just three months to help them over the summer window. He said: "Understand it’s 3 months deal. Just helping Liverpool out in the coming transfer window!"

Who is Jorg Schmadtke?

The 59-year-old has worked in Europe over the last few years and has a lot of experience in Germany in particular. Before his time with Wolfsburg, the director spent four years with FC Koln, where he held the same position.

He also had a four year spell with Hannover 96, during which time they had a rather successful spell in the Bundesliga. With Schmadtke behind the scenes as a sporting director, the club finished as high up as fourth in the division.

If Schmadtke could implement a successful transfer strategy at Anfield during his time at the club this summer, then he could be a shrewd appointment from them, even if he does only pen a short-term contract.

Craig Meschede completed a fine all-round match with bat and ball with a brief attacking innings to confirm Glamorgan’s victory on the fourth evening at Colwyn Bay

ECB Reporters Network20-Jul-2016
ScorecardCraig Meschede had a fine all-round match•Getty ImagesGlamorgan gained their first Championship win of the season as they chased down their target with over 17 overs to spare, in a game that provided splendid entertainment on a good pitch where 1,431 runs were scored and provided a perfect advertisement for four-day championship cricket.Although Glamorgan stuttered in their run chase, losing three wickets in mid innings for 20 runs, skipper Jacques Rudolph patiently guided torwads a victory target of 196 from a minimum of 62 overs, helped by a late flurry by Craig Meschede to complete a fine personal match with bat and ball.Earlier, Derbyshire had taken their second innings score to 536, their highest against Glamorgan, before they were all out at 1.15pm. Billy Godleman and Matthew Critchley put on 113 in 26 overs, with Godleman scoring 106, his sixth century for Derbyshire, before he was well caught by wicketkeeper Mark Wallace down the leg side off Graham Wagg.He was Wallace’s ninth victim in the game, equalling the club record set by Colin Metson in 1995. There was little resistance from the Derbyshire tail, as Glamorgan were left 196 to win from a minimum of 62 overs.Wallace and Nick Selman gave Glamorgan a positive start, scoring at four an over, but Selman was reprieved in Ben Cotton’s second over when he edged him between first and second slip to the third man boundary. Cotton bowled a probing opening spell, but it was Shiv Thakor who made the immediate breakthrough when he trapped Selman leg before with the last ball of his first over with the score on 52.Nine runs later, Glamorgan lost their second wicket when Will Bragg played over a ball from Palladino which hit the top of the off stump. Worse was to follow when Wallace, in the final over before tea, swept Wayne Madsen’s off spin to backward square leg, and in the first over after the interval, Aneurin Donald, the first innings double centurion, chipped Will Davis to midwicket without scoring.Rudolph and Lloyd then settled into a productive partnership, with Rudolph, who has been short of runs this season, playing every ball on its merit, while Lloyd punished the bad ball, once striking Will Davis for three successive boundaries until he was dismissed leg before, sweeping at Madsen.Three runs later, Matthew Critchley dismissed Graham Wagg, and Glamorgan still needed 39 more runs to win, but Rudolph and the rapid intervention of Meschede calmed Welsh nerves – Rudolph scoring an undefeated 51 with Meschede striking 36 from 22 balls, including a six that struck a passing bus. He then struck another maximum to win the game, this time leaving the public transport system unaffected.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsEd Joyce hammered a career-best 148-ball 160* in an innings that featured 19 fours and three sixes to propel Ireland to a series-levelling win against Afghanistan in Belfast. Joyce’s knock, the second-best score by an Ireland batsman in ODIs and third-highest by a player from an Associate team, helped the side post 265 for 5, a total they defended by 12 runs. The five-match series was tied 2-2.Ireland, who were batting first for the first time in the series, lost captain William Porterfield in the fifth over when he edged to second slip for 8. Sean Terry, playing his third ODI, was dismissed in the 10th over when Yamin Ahmadzai completed a stunning one-handed grab off his own bowling, diving low to his right.Gary Wilson, promoted to No. 4, and Joyce then got stuck into rebuilding the innings. Joyce got to his fifty in the 24th over, off 70 balls. The pair combined for a 134-run stand to set up a strong platform for Ireland in the end overs. In between, Wilson survived a nasty collision with Mohammad Shahzad in the 32nd over, when he tried to return to his crease.Wilson holed out to square leg off the first ball of the 41st over, for 58 off 92 balls. At that stage, Joyce was on 93. After Kevin O’Brien fell in the following over, Joyce took charge and smashed 67 of the 87 that Ireland scored in the last 10 overs. He finished with 60.37% of Ireland’s runs, the highest percentage in a completed ODI innings for an Associate side.After the game, Joyce, who was named Man of the Series, said he was spurred on by his controversial dismissal in the previous match. “I probably was extra motivated; I was actually pretty tired this morning going into the game, had a niggle, but what happened in the last game obviously gave a bit of extra motivation.”Afghanistan’s chase was dented early by the Ireland seamers as they were quickly reduced to 27 for 3. Rahmat Shah (30), captain Asghar Stanikzai (32) and Mohammad Nabi (25) got starts in the middle order but failed to convert as Ireland chipped away.Afghanistan were tottering at 119 for 6 in the 33rd over. Najibullah Zadran and legspinner Rashid Khan, however, put on a 93-run seventh-wicket stand but the soaring asking rate proved insurmountable. Three wickets in three balls – one at the end of the 46th over and two at the start of the next – effectively killed the chase.Dawlat Zadran smashed five boundaries in his unbeaten 15-ball 31 but it wasn’t enough. O’Brien finished with 3 for 57, while medium-pacers Peter Chase and Barry McCarthy picked up two wickets each.

دافع زكي عبد الفتاح مدرب حراس مرمى منتخب مصر الأسبق، عن الانتقادات التي وجهت إلى محمد صلاح قائد الفراعنة بسبب السفر إلى إنجلترا للعلاج بعد إصابته في مباراة غانا بـ كأس أمم إفريقيا.

وقال زكي عبد الفتاح في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة اون تايم سبورتس: “الشناوي أفضل حارس مرمى في مصر، ومن بعده على بُعد مسافة كبيرة، لكن هناك 6 أهداف دخلوا مرماه منهم 5 كان من الممكن أن يتصدى لهم”.

وتابع: “الشناوي كان يتصدى لكرات مع الأهلي تتسبب في تحول المباراة، هذا لم يفعله في البطولة، 7 اختبارات دخل منهم 6 أهداف”.

وأردف: “اللاعبون في مصر يفهمون الوطنية خطأ، لو مُصاب يتغاضى ويقول أريد أن ألعب، هذه ليست وطنية بل أنانية، هذه جريمة في حق النادي والبلد، تعاملت مع الحضري وقلت له هذه ليست وطنية بل أنانية”.

وأكمل: “كل الهجوم على صلاح ليس له داعي، لا أحد يهمه أن يحصد بطولة مع المنتخب أكثر منه، ممكن يستغنى عن كل البطولات التي حصل عليها مع ليفربول مُقابل أمم إفريقيا”.

طالع | ميدو: كرة القدم المصرية تحتاج إلى ثورة.. وإقالة المدرب واتحاد الكرة ليست حلًا

وأوضح: “المفروض هناك ترتيب لتسديد ركلات الترجيح، أبو جبل قرر يُسدد عندما وجد مهند لاشين لا يريد أن يُسدد، الاختيارات خطأ من البداية، حتى في حراسة المرمى، اختيار أحمد الشناوي المصاب ومحمد صبحي الذي لا يُشارك مع الزمالك”.

واستطرد عبد الفتاح: “محمد الشناوي إصابته ستستغرق أكثر من 3 أشهر، وليس كما أعلن، تتذكرون إن أحمد شوبير اعتزل بسبب نفس الإصابة”.

وواصل: “مصطفى شوبير لو كان خرج إعارة كان ذلك سيمثل فارق معه، كان يجب أن يكون في رؤية له وأن يخرج للإعارة لأن في الموقف الحالي كان سيكون جاهزًا، لكني أرى الآن أن يُشارك مصطفى شوبير بدلًا من الشناوي، ولا يتعاقد الأهلي مع حارس أخر، وعلي لطفي يعود بديلًا”.

وبسؤاله من الأنسب لقيادة منتخب مصر حال رحيل فيتوريا؟، أجاب: “أرى في الإعلام إن كيروش يعرف طريقتنا، أو كولر، أسهل شيء المدرب الذي يلعب على الهجمة المرتدة، نحن عندنا طلعت يوسف أفضل من كيروش وهناك طارق العشري”.

وأتم: “أرى أن المدرب المناسب الآن مدرب مصر، وأرى الآن الموجود على الساحة وعنده فكر هو أيمن الرمادي، لو تريدون أن نلعب بشكل دفاعي ممكن طلعت يوسف أو طارق العشري”.

Tottenham have held "positive contacts" with Feyenoord coach Arne Slot who could beat other managers to the job, explains Sky Sports reporter Gianluca Di Marzio.

What's the latest Spurs manager news?

Spurs are ever so slowly whittling down their long list of managerial candidates from the last fortnight, with former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann out of contention among others.

The likes of Vincent Kompany (Burnley) and Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso were also of interest to chairman Daniel Levy, but both managers have recently committed their long term futures.

The Lilywhites are rumoured to be targeting Sporting Lisbon's head coach Ruben Amorim, Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi and Slot as a result – with Celtic's Ange Postecoglou also under real consideration.

Levy is reportedly stepping up his chase for a new manager with key meetings scheduled in the coming days, and as the summer transfer window approaches, this could be good news for Spurs supporters.

Going back to Slot, there has been an update on Spurs' strong links to the Dutchman courtesy of Sky reporter Di Marzio, who shared news on his personal website.

The transfer journalist claims "positive contacts" have been held with Feyenoord's coach, fresh off his first ever Eredivisie title win, and he's now a "serious candidate" who "could eventually beat the competition from the other profiles".

Not much is said after this revelation, but Di Marzio's update will be promising for sections of the Spurs fanbase who wish to see Slot succeed Antonio Conte.

Who is Arne Slot?

The Dutchman has been very impressive for Feyenoord, not only guiding them to a title win this season, but also nearly clinching a UEFA Europa Conference League title last year.

Slot narrowly lost out to Jose Mourinho's Roma but all the signs of an exciting, young and hungry tactician are certainly there.

Media members from his homeland, like Netherlands football journalist Marcel van der Kraan, are in no doubt over Slot's huge potential and attacking style.

The 44-year-old has drawn comparisons to Man City manager Pep Guardiola, with van der Kraan claiming to talkSPORT he imposes a similar style.

“He is very similar to Pep Guardiola, his ideas are very similar, he is a massive fan of Pep and he plays the same time."

“He goes ultra-attacking, he is almost like a maniac. Not on the touchline but it is fantastic to see how he has turned an average side into a wonderful attacking machine."

Van der Kraan also branded Slot the "most exciting" manager he's seen in the last 10 years.

When Jurgen Klopp decided to take a punt on Liverpool in 2015, Anfield had gone to seed.

Not literally – the chalky-topped stadium was very much in fine condition, though its inhabitants had fallen foul of a loss of identity and deterioration from prominence in the Premier League and Champions League.

The German manager, who had previously enjoyed illustrious success with Borussia Dortmund, winning two Bundesliga titles in succession and the DFB Pokal, took the reins and crafted a dynasty on Merseyside, with Liverpool having now won a Premier League trophy and their sixth Champions League.

While standout stars such as Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Alisson are the salient acquisitions, the likes of James Milner and Joel Matip, both secured on free transfers, illustrate the shrewd moves that rooted the success.

The latter, Cameroonian Matip, was acquired from Bundesliga outfit Schalke on a free transfer in 2016 and has been integral in securing silverware under Klopp's tutelage, having forged 186 appearances.

Klopp could now replicate his success in delving into his homeland's league by signing Eintracht Frankfurt's Daichi Kamada, with the Japanese midfielder set for departure at the end of his contract in a matter of weeks.

According to the Express, the 26-year-old is on the shortlist of the Reds' imminent new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke, and could be a wise addition for a team looking to return to the fore after a wayward year.

Why should Liverpool sign Daichi Kamada?

Granted, Matip and Kamada don't bear many similarities in their respective skill sets on the pitch, but attempting to complete an astute deal for a player available on a free transfer from Germany could prove a fruitful avenue for Liverpool to delve down.

While embroiled in his outfit's issues this season, the 31-year-old has previously been lauded as "dominant" and "confident' by former Reds defender Sami Hyypia.

Notably, Matip provided the assist for Divock Origi's match-clinching strike in the Champions League final, and ranks among the top 3% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 9% for progressive passes, top 1% for progressive carries per 90 and the top 6% for touches in the attacking box, as per FBref.

The £34k-per-week Kamada, a two-footed and dynamic attacking midfielder capable of thriving across a multitude of central and wide positions, could be the perfect answer to Liverpool's woes, with the Merseyside outfit failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in seven seasons and in dire need of midfield reinforcements with a mass exodus forthcoming.

Liverpool need a new dimension, and with Kamada, lauded as a "hero" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, reaping 16 goals and seven assists from 46 appearances this year – including three goals in the Champions League – the Anfield centre could be rejuvenated with his arrival.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 5% of midfielders for non-penalty goals and the top 20% for assists per 90, mirroring Matip's natural instinct to surge forwards by ranking among the top 10% for touches in the attacking box per 90.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola heralded the "exceptional team" that Klopp has created, and Matip has indeed been a centrepiece to this, with his arrival helping to patch the side up when they needed defensive replenishment.

Now, the midfield needs the attention, and Klopp must mirror his past success in astutely targeting Germany to sign Kamada for free.

Manchester United "remain in the race" to sign Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic in the summer transfer window, journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed.

Is Vlahovic having a good season?

The 23-year-old has been a highly-rated attacker for a number of years now, catching the eye with his performances in Serie A, at both Fiorentina and Juve. This season, he has scored 14 goals in all competitions, also netting once at the 2022 World Cup for Serbia.

It hasn't necessarily been the most prolific campaign of Vlahovic's career, but he remains a player who is tipped for big things heading into the future, having already scored 13 goals in only 21 caps for his country. There has been prominent interest in him from Premier League clubs of late, with Chelsea one of the clubs thought to be in the mix to sign.

United are also believed to be eyeing him up as a potential summer addition, however, as they look to recruit a top-quality striker at the end of the season. A move away from Juventus certainly isn't out of the question and a fresh update suggests that the Reds Devils' interest isn't going away.

Could Vlahovic join Man United this summer?

Taking to Twitter, Romano provided an update on Vlahovic's situation, admitting that United still want to sign him this summer and also saying similar about Chelsea:

"Understand Chelsea haven’t sent €80m bid for Dusan Vlahovic, as of now. He’s one of many strikers appreciated at the club but no bid/talks. Bayern and Man United remain in the race for Vlahovic – but still waiting for Juventus decision."

Vlahovic certainly has the ability to be an excellent signing by United in the summer window, having been lauded as a "ridiculous" player by Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards in the past. At 23, the Juve man still has so much more maturing to do as a footballer, but he is already a potent player in his own right, bagging 21 Serie A goals for Fiorentina back in the 2020/21 season.

That being said, Harry Kane should still be viewed as the Reds' primary transfer target prior to the beginning of next season, with the Tottenham legend a truly world-class attacking player who should provide guaranteed goals and assists at a relentless pace from the off, having scored a club-record 278 goals for Spurs.

United need that if they are to become genuine Premier League title challengers again, and while Vlahovic certainly wouldn't be a bad signing in the slightest, there is more of a risk that he will take time to settle, at a time when the club need an immediate hit to come in.

The signing of Kieran Dowell from Norwich City could just be the start for Rangers in the summer transfer window, according to a promising update from journalist Dean Jones.

Has Dowell joined Rangers?

Michael Beale will be well aware of the importance of the upcoming window, in terms of narrowing the gap between his Gers side and bitter adversaries Celtic. The Gers have battled hard all season long, in various completions, but have ended up coming up short in all of them.

For that reason, numerous new faces need to come in and enhance both the starting lineup and squad depth at Beale's disposal, making them a more fearsome proposition in the process.

Rangers have already made inroads in the transfer market, completing the signing of Dowell from Norwich earlier this week, with the midfielder enjoying a good 2022/23 campaign for the Canaries. The £7,500-a-week former Everton man scored five goals and chipped in with three assists in the Championship, proving to be an important squad figure.

The 25-year-old is someone who could make a big difference in the middle of the park, and his human qualities have been highlighted in the past, with Sheffield United fans describing his work with a terminally-ill young Blades supporter as "amazing" during his time at the club.

Could Dowell be the first of many signings?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, transfer expert Jones talked up Rangers' chances of snapping up more signings this summer after the arrival of Dowell:

"We know Beale has big plans for the summer. We could see five or six signings, so maybe this is one of the first."

While Dowell looks like a shrewd signing by Rangers this summer, it is also clear that more additions are required, if they are to get back to being Scottish Premiership champions, as was the case back in 2020/2021.

Depth all over the pitch is needed, with youngster Archie Brown a rumoured new target at left-back, for example, and as Jones alludes to, five or six new faces would aid Beale's ambitions and enhance their chances of future glories.

Dowell is certainly a good start, however, with the Englishman someone who has won 16 caps for both England's Under-21s and Under-20s sides, not to mention making five appearances for Everton during his time as a youngster, and appearing 21 times in the Premier League in total, showing that he can perform at the top level.

The BCCI has filed a petition in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, seeking review of its July 18 verdict in which it had accepted most recommendations of the Lodha panel. The BCCI said the bench headed by Chief Justice of India TS Thakur had “a prejudiced approach” against the board and he should recuse from hearing the matter.The BCCI also contended that the judgement was “unreasoned” and “seeks to frame legislative measures for a private autonomous society in a field already occupied by legislations, both parliamentary and state”.The board further said the judgment authored by Thakur and Justice FMI Kalifullah, since retired, has “neither noted the contentions and facts correctly, nor dealt with the same”.”The judgment is unconstitutional and contrary to many binding precedents of this Court and adversely affects and nullifies the fundamental rights granted to citizens under Article 19(1)(c) of the Constitution,” the plea said, adding “the judgment outsources judicial power to a committee of retired judges, which is impermissible in law.”The judgment is a nullity as the judges were functus officio after passing of the main judgment of January 22, 2015 and the matter could not have been revived suo motu as no provision of law empowers the same and is contrary to the doctrine of separation of powers and contrary to settled law that the judiciary cannot make laws.”However, the most important aspect of the review petition, which also demanded an open court hearing, is the plea for recusal of the Chief Justice of India.”Chief Justice T S Thakur seems to have a prejudiced approach to BCCI which is evident by statements such as ‘BCCI treatment’ is to be meted out to another entity i.e. the All India Football Federation in another case, ex-facie shows that the Chief Justice has a closed mind and will summarily dismiss the review petition without listing the same before another bench of five judges for hearing in the open Court,” the plea said.The Supreme Court, on July 18, had accepted major recommendations of the Lodha Committee on reforms in BCCI, including a bar on ministers and civil servants and those above 70 years of age from becoming its members, but left it to the parliament to decide whether it should come under RTI and whether betting on the game should be legalised.

Todd Boehly has finally found the man that he hopes will take Chelsea into a new era starting next season, with Mauricio Pochettino set to take charge of the Stamford Bridge outfit.

He will have a lot of work to do during the summer transfer window in order to get rid of some of the deadwood, both to balance the books and to free up some of the wage bill for future signings.

The Argentine will be hoping to take some inspiration from his transfer dealings whilst in charge at Tottenham Hotspur, luring the likes of Heung-min Son, Lucas Moura, and Dele Alli to the club where they all performed well.

Son was arguably his finest signing in terms of his goal and assist statistics as the South Korean winger has registered 224 goal contributions during his spell at Spurs – 145 goals and 79 assists – and while his partnership with Harry Kane didn’t lead the club to any trophies, they did reach the League Cup final in 2015 and the Champions League final in 2019.

With Chelsea seemingly keen on signing Bayern Munich winger Sadio Mane this summer, Pochettino could repeat his Son masterclass by acquiring another special talent from the Bundesliga.

Why should Chelsea sign Sadio Mane?

According to Football Insider, Chelsea are planning on submitting a proposal for Mane ahead of the transfer window in a bid to lure him back to the Premier League.

The Senegalese star hasn’t enjoyed the best of seasons in Germany following his high-profile move from Liverpool last year, scoring just 12 times for Bayern across all competitions and following a publicised falling out with Leroy Sane, he could well be on the move this summer.

Pochettino could revive the struggling £35m-rated winger, however, and bring Mane back to his frightening best which he displayed for Liverpool during his six-year spell on Merseyside.

The 5 foot 8 maestro was in stunning form last season under Jurgen Klopp, scoring 23 goals and grabbing five assists as he won the FA Cup and League Cup, eventually leaving the Anfield side with a total of 168 goal contributions, of which 111 were Premier League goals.

At just 31 years old, Mane still has plenty to offer should he complete a switch to Chelsea and with the club finding themselves as the fourth-lowest scorers in the top flight with just 36 goals, he could offer a serious threat from the flanks.

Having been dubbed “electric” by writer Leanne Prescott, the comparisons to Son don't stop with that Bundesliga comparison; in short the Bayern superstar is a dazzling winger capable of terrorising any defence on the continent, just like the South Korean.

Indeed, the £373k-per-week sensation could offer Chelsea some much-needed attacking dynamism next year and with plenty of trophy-winning experience, it could be an ideal move.