Senior Liverpool figure agrees move to Munich - report

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Published on:

27 Sep 2016, 10:35 am

By Alex Stevens

Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre is set to become the new general manager of 1860 Munich, according to a report.

German publication Munchner Merkur claims that Ayre has agreed to take on the executive role at the Bundesliga 2 club.

It is said that the 52-year-old will take over at second-tier 1860 Munch at the end of this season.

Liverpool announced in March that Ayre would step down as chief executive when his contract expires in May 2017.

Ayre, who joined Liverpool in 2007, gave the Anfield hierarchy 15 months' notice of his intention to stand down after refusing pleas from American owners Fenway Sports Group to reconsider.

The father of four, who also has three grandchildren, cited the remorseless intensity of running a club of Liverpool's stature as the primary reason behind his decision.

"It's probably the most difficult decision I've made, certainly in my professional career," he said.

"It was a difficult decision to come here because I knew the size of the task here at Liverpool and it's an even more difficult decision to make in leaving.

"But if you care about the club - which I do - and you have so much invested in the club, not just having worked here but through your family and your time as a supporter, then you need to do what you feel is right for the club as well as yourself.

"I feel the timing and the level of commitment that is required, this is the right time and I hope that people see that given the sort of notice I have given to the owners is a mark of respect to them and to the football club."

Both Ayre and club owners FSG insisted that last season's ticket price protests, which saw Ayre come under heavy criticism from supporters, played no part in his decision.

In other Liverpool transfer news, pundit Robbie Savage has hailed three brilliant signings by the club.

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