There's been rumours of this happening for well over 12 months now. The rumour being he's accepted a job with Standard Chartered but he may well have decided to go on a round the world trip on his harley.
Confirmed: Liverpool chief set for Anfield exit but club insist ticket saga not linked
IAN AYRE is to step down as Liverpoolâs CEO at the end of next season.
By Paul Joyce
PUBLISHED: 18:00, Mon, Mar 14, 2016
Ayre informed owners Fenway Sports Group at Christmas of his intention to leave when his current contract expires in May 2017 and they have been unable to persuade him to stay.
Liverpool insist that chronology shows Ayreâs impending departure in 15-months has nothing to do with the recent furore over a proposed hike in ticket prices at Anfield for which he and FSG were heavily criticised.
The club quickly backed down after a protest from supporters and froze prices.
Ayre, 52, will have marked 10-years at Liverpool when he relinquishes his role in the day to day running of the club and todayâs announcement comes with the Anfield club beginning the search for a successor.
He said his decision was simply shaped by a realisation it will be the right time for someone with âfresh enthusiasm and vigourâ to take over as CEO.
âIf becoming Chief Executive of Liverpool Football Club was the greatest honour of my professional life, then deciding to step down at the end of my current contract is by far the most difficult,â said Ayre in a statement.
âHaving the privilege to lead this great club comes with huge responsibility and is a challenge, but one which I have relished and I feel proud of my achievements in the role.
âI believe the end of next season is the right time to pass the CEO baton on to a new person, who will take on the challenges and opportunities with a fresh enthusiasm and vigour.
âThey will do so supported by what I believe to be the best ownership group in world sport and by a truly excellent team of staff throughout the football club.
âHaving been brought up in the shadow of Anfield, I have found it the most profound privilege to serve the club I have supported all my life.
âThe driving principle behind every decision I have taken during my time here has been to do the best for the long-term stability and health of this great football club.
âIn the remaining 15 months I have as CEO, I will continue to provide FSG, JĂźrgen, the players and all the brilliant staff at Liverpool ongoing strategic leadership and a smooth transition.â
Ayre, a boyhood Liverpool supporter, joined the club in 2007 as Commercial Director and moved onto the board of directors in 2009.
He was promoted to Managing Director in 2011 and then Chief Executive Office in 2013.
Ayreâs departure will represent a blow to FSG and places enormous emphasis on them headhunting the right replacement.
In a joint statement Principal Owner, John W. Henry, Chairman, Tom Werner and President, Mike Gordon hailed the job Ayre has done in bringing stability to the club.
âIan advised us of his intention to step down as CEO a few months ago,â they said.
âWe asked him on several occasions to take some time to reconsider his decision, but have been unable to convince him to remain as CEO beyond May of 2017. We will at some point in the near future begin identifying and recruiting a worthy successor to continue to build on the outstanding foundations which have been laid by Ian.
âUnder his leadership we have seen Liverpool transform from a club that was on the brink of bankruptcy, to one which today enjoys strong financial and operational health.
âStability is a commodity often under-valued in sporting organisations, but it has been a fundamental hallmark of Ianâs time in charge. Liverpool will reap the benefits of his outstanding work for many years to come.
âWe have always found Ian to be dedicated, honest, passionate and committed to doing the right thing for long-term interests of the football club. These fit with our own values as owners and we owe him greatly for the personal sacrifices he has made for the club.
âIt is typical of the person he is, once again, Ian is putting the club ahead of his own interest in wanting to announce his decision 15 months before he steps down. This now provides us with plenty of time and space to find a suitable successor.â
âThere will continue to be important milestones for Liverpool over the next 15 months, not least the completion of the redevelopment at Anfield stadium, and we are grateful that Ian will continue his leadership through to May 2017.â
Logged