Wolfsburg manager Niko Kovac believes that Jorg Schmadtke can succeed in the Premier League.

The German chief is someone who Liverpool admire strongly, as they seek a successor to Julian Ward in the sporting director position.

Now it appears that 59-year-old Schmadtke is the favourite for the post, per The Telegraph.

Speaking to ESPN, Kovac said of Schmadtke: "I played with him in Leverkusen so we were teammates and he was with me half-a-year in Wolfsburg.

"He's a smart guy, nice guy, he's a funny guy, he has a nice humour.

"Sometimes someone isn't understanding his humour but I understood it very well so I think he has the qualities to work in the best league in the world.

"The Bundesliga is also one of the top five but everybody knows the best players, the best coaches they are in England and he is now or maybe in England."