Ian Ayre to step down as CEO in May 2017 Liverpool Football Club today announced that Ian Ayre is to step down as chief executive officer at the end of May 2017, when his current contract expires. Ayre joined the club in 2007 as commercial director and the club’s board of directors in 2009, before being promoted to managing director in 2011 and chief executive in 2013. He is also the vice-chair of the Liverpool FC Foundation, the club’s official charity. His tenure has been characterised by leading a radical modernisation across the club and bringing much-needed stability following the Fenway Sports Group takeover in October 2010. Highlights of Ayre’s leadership so far include overseeing a complete transformation of the club’s financial, commercial and operational structure; playing a pivotal role in progressing the redevelopment of Anfield stadium and regeneration of the local area; and successfully restoring Liverpool’s reputation as one of the leading clubs in English football. Commenting on Ian’s decision, principal owner John W. Henry, chairman Tom Werner and president Mike Gordon said: "Ian advised us of his intention to step down as CEO a few months ago. "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. "Under 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. "Stability is a commodity often under-valued in sporting organisations, but it has been a fundamental hallmark of Ian’s time in charge. Liverpool will reap the benefits of his outstanding work for many years to come. "We have always found Ian to be dedicated, honest, passionate and committed to doing the right thing for the 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. "It 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." “There 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." Ian Ayre, chief executive officer, added: "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. "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. "Having 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. The 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. In the remaining 15 months I have as CEO, I will continue to provide FSG, Jürgen, the players and all the brilliant staff at Liverpool ongoing strategic leadership and a smooth transition." http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/announcements/211482-ian-ayre-to-step-down-as-ceo-in-may-2017
Thank god for that. So slow in the transfer market we missed out on so many players. Would have been happy to see him revert to the role of commercial manager
He was a brilliant commercial director and raised our income despite being out of Europe. You can't also fault the effort; his heart was definitely in the right place and he cared/s about the club. He wasn't a brilliant CEO though, from what I can work out, as a number of deals fell through due to money or pissing around and we generally got ****ed in either sales or buying negotiations.
Like players...you can say thanks for your efforts and then go look for someone better.. Think it's daft that FSG are not looking to cut short his contract if the right person is available.... Unless they have a target happy to wait or is unavailable until that time....
Pretty much this. Shame he wasn't around as commercial director in the early 90s when Prem came around as think he'd have had us up there with United. Guy knew how to sell the club to sponsors that's for sure.
I agree. Like some have said he's done a lot of good but we can also do better so should now look for just that. Of late he seems to be at odds with the club.
Fsg clearly have no clue if they value stability in 7th with their own men like hogan etc over getting the best in and letting then revolutionise the club.
Very good commercially but CEO was just too much. Hopefully we get someone like Cortese in with Zorc as DOF. Wet dream.
Any set up will do. Ignore chairman Tom Warner. He's an absentee landlord 1. Get a proper ceo. Put klopp right next to him in organisational chart. 2. Hire a technical director. This person reports to Klopp and ceo. 3. Put scouting, youths, women's team, coaching development under this new person. Clear accountability for who's bought, who is sold, how academy runs, the facilities used for football and finally development of coaches. 4. Put in a commercial director (hogan) 5. Have a separate financial director just to manage the books 6. Get a proper communications manager 7. Put in a director with responsibility for facilities. Run the assets of the club. Build new assets, etc etc etc. Employ the catering staff etc
For me it's absolutely vital we put guys front and centre now under a strong ceo and sports director. The rest can already be at the club but we have to see clear accountability at all levels. If the guy in sales and marketing is running a **** ticket system we say hey not good enough to him not a ceo. If the guy in sports goes off and buys a balotelli on klopp we hang him from the main stand... that sort of stuff.
I don't get why we lumped two very important jobs together, both requiring different skills sets. Ayre needs to be replaced by two people; one who deals with the commercial aspects, sponsorships, kit deals, commercial links etc. And the other to deal with transfers and contracts, this person would be more in the DoF mould and would head the transfer committee.
