Chief Executive Officer of Liverpool FC, Ian Ayre, will be stepping down from his role at the end of next season after nine years at the club.
Ayre first came to the club as a commercial director in 2007 before joining the board of directors in 2009.
In 2011, Ayre became the managing director of the club and two years later was promoted to Chief Executive.
Liverpool’s official website announced the news on Monday evening.
Twitter: #LFC announce that Ian Ayre is to step down from his role as CEO at the end of May 2017 https://t.co/bMDlPXks57 https://t.co/2NmUx7KD6Y (@LFC)
Principal owner John W. Henry, chairman Tom Werner and president Mike Gordon said that Ayre had told them a few months ago that he was not going to renew his current contract that finishes at the end of next season and that they did try to persuade him to stay.
They said: “We 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 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.”
Ian Ayre explained that becoming the CEO of Liverpool Football Club was the greatest honour of his career to date and that the decision he has had to make was a very difficult one:
If 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.
Ayre also commented on the ownership of the club and was full of praise as he claimed that they are “the best ownership group on the world”.
The CEO believed now to be the best time to announce this news, as it provides the owners plenty of time in which to find a new chief executive who will be able to direct Liverpool Football Club to where it should be.
He added: “Having the privilege to lead this great club comes with huge responsibility and challenge but one which I have relished and I feel proud of my achievements in the role.
“I 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.
“They 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.”
