Salzburg chief responds to claim of Chelsea appointing reputed Sporting Director

Stephan Reiter responds to claims of Chelsea appointing Christoph Freund as their Sporting Director

RB Salzburg chief Stephan Reiter has responded to claims that Chelsea have appointed Christoph Freund as their new Sporting Director.

Freund is currently under employment at Salzburg as their sporting director but has been linked with a move to the west London club. Some reports claim the 45-year-old has agreed to take up the job at Chelsea.

However, it is believed that no such agreement has been reached with Salzburg for the same. And now their boss has given his say on the matter. Speaking to Sky Sport Austria via Metro (h/t football.london), Reiter turned down the speculations.

I can definitely rule that out. Neither Chelsea nor Christoph Freund spoke to me or the club management about something like that. Christoph recently signed a contract with us until 2026, which applies to him as well as to players, managers or coaches.

Todd Boehly has been in the hunt for a sporting director since the start of the summer transfer window. The American has overhauled the entire back-room staff since taking over the club in May, earlier this year.

It is believed that the new American owner is keen to implement the multi-club model at the west London club, similar to that of the Red Bull model. He needs a person with the right knowledge to help him achieve that and Freund is the best there is.

Freund has worked in various roles at the Austrian club since 2006. The 45-year-old has unearthed some of the best talents in the modern game. Some of them include-Erling Haaland, Dayot Upamecano, Sadio Mane and Marcel Sabitzer.

But he is not the only one in Boehly’s mind. Paris Saint-Germain advisor Luis Campos and former Liverpool director Michael Edwards are also the names in consideration.

More Chelsea News:

• Benjamin Pavard considered leaving Bayern Munich amid interest from Chelsea
• Chelsea are interested in signing Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz
• Christoph Freund appointment could help Chelsea in signing Benjamin Sesko in the future

It remains to be seen if Freund is appointed for the role. Reiter’s comments prove that the discussions are far from over. Whether Salzburg let the 45-year-old leave, remains to be seen.