Jurgen Klopp and Sadio Mane are set to walk away from their respective sponsorship deals with New Balance and sign with Nike, according to The Athletic journalist David Ornstein.
The Liverpool duo are both currently represented by the Reds’ current kit manufacturer, but could jump ship after it was announced that Nike had won the court battle to takeover the job next term.
Writing in a piece for the Athletic, Ornstein said: “Unlike players, who have freedom to choose their boot provider, managers are such a central asset in club sponsorships of this nature that it is not plausible for them to have a different endorsement.
“That makes the Klopp situation straight forward — yet no less painful for New Balance.
“Mane’s position is more complicated. Roughly halfway through a four-year multi-million pound contract, the Senegal international is one of the few footballers still with New Balance and by far the most high profile.
“On the one hand, the company may be pleased that he will continue to promote their range but, on the other, if their football operations are being scaled back then Mane will be a significant drain on resources.”
OPINION
This would be a blow to New Balance, no doubt, but you can hardly say that it would be a surprise. After Nike were awarded the rights to Liverpool’s kit for next season, it always felt as if this kind of thing was inevitable, and while nothing has been announced, Ornstein’s report would suggest that a switch is imminent. For Klopp, that change is a necessity really, but for Mane, it speaks volumes as to just how desirable his personal brand has become in recent times. The Senegalese international has been superb so far this season, averaging a Whoscored rating of 7.58 in all competitions. He is undoubtedly a world class talent, and Nike’s keenness to snap him up is a real reflection of that status.
