AS Monaco manager Philippe Clement has been coy over talks that sporting director Paul Mitchell will leave at the end of the summer transfer window amid Liverpool links.
The Englishman has been touted as a replacement for the departing Reds chief Julian Ward, who will exit his post at the end of the season, and news broke on Wednesday night that the former Wigan Athletic midfielder is set to depart the Ligue 1 outfit.
Mitchell has held director positions in the Premier League in the past after having roles with Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur where he headed recruitment. He also had a stint with RB Leipzig before moving to the St Louis II Stadium where he has brokered deals for the likes of Aurelien Tchouameni and Benoit Badiashile which has banked over £100m for Monaco.
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Clement was quizzed on the news of his sporting director ahead of Monaco's clash with league leaders PSG this weekend but he remained tight-lipped over the 41-year-old's future.
"Before facing Paris, there is always a subject that comes out in the press," he said via French outlet Nice-Matin. "It's always outside football, it has nothing to do with the athlete...
"It's interesting... Paul's story is his own. It is important that everyone asks him questions directly. I know what he has in mind about this.
"The last few months, the president, Paul and I have talked a lot about the evolution of the club, the short and the long term. I was not surprised with this article, but with some things that were not right inside," he added on the report from L'Equipe.
However, the Belgian head coach insisted that questions on the matter be directed at Mitchell as he focuses on their upcoming encounter.
He continued: "But that's for Paul to talk about, not for me. I am focused on Paris. What I know is that we are working very well at the moment with the president, Paul and myself to have a very good project in the coming months and the next few years. Not just in the next few weeks."
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