Following the departure of Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool have announced sporting director Jorg Schmadtke will also leave his role.

The German, 59, was coaxed out of retirement to replace Julian Ward last year and oversaw the signings of Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo during the summer transfer window.

It has been a quieter window for Liverpool this month and, once the market has concluded, Schmadtke will part ways with the club.

“Liverpool is a very special club so to have had the opportunity to work here has been a huge honour for me, even though I knew from the outset that it would only be for a short period," he said.

“I would like to thank everyone – the owners, manager, staff, players and fans – for the support I have been given and offer my best wishes for the rest of this season.”

The former Koln, Hannover and Wolfsburg director was only on a one-year contract at Anfield but his early exit will allow the club to continue planning for the huge turnover coming up at the end of the season, when Klopp will depart.

Former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso has been installed as the bookmakers' favourite to arrive in the dugout from the summer and whoever takes charge will be working under a fresh face in the directors' box.

Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon told the Liverpool website: “We would like to place on record our gratitude to Jorg for the important role he has played since joining Liverpool last summer.

“He has made a valuable contribution, both in terms of the support he provided to Jürgen Klopp and the assistance and guidance given to our outstanding football operations department.

“As well as departing with our appreciation for his efforts, we would also like to take this opportunity to offer Jorg and his family our very best wishes for the future.”