Ian Ayre, alongside the Chairman Tom Werner and John W Henry
Liverpool’s commercial director Ian Ayre has been promoted to the Managing Director role at Liverpool. Fenway Sports Group started their recruitment search in December, but is believed after a couple of missed targets during their ‘extensive search’ they decided to promote Ayre to the hot seat.
Ian has been at Liverpool since August 2007, when he was appointed by Tom Hicks and George Gillett to leave his post as Chief Operating Officer at Total Sports Asia in Malaysia.
Previously he has also worked with Pace Systems (suppliers of satellite technology), Huddersfield Town (as Chairman and Chief Executive), and a UK Cable TV firm.
Despite an assertion that he was overly close to Tom Hicks’ during the painful years at the club in recent times, the new owners have extended their faith in him to carry out their plan for Liverpool.
John W Henry said
“Ian has enormous experience gained from his work in the sports and media businesses over the past 15 years and we are delighted to announce this significant appointment.
“But importantly, Ian is also from Liverpool and understands the relationships between the club, the supporters and the city.”
Ian Ayre himself said:
“I’ve gained a thorough understanding of the challenges facing the club. We have been through some difficult times, but we find ourselves today with a great team of people all working together for the same goal.”
Ian isn’t the only man receiving a promotion of sorts – Damien Comolli loses the ‘strategy’ to become the Director of Football at Liverpool.
Damien said,
“It has been an exciting five months and I think all of us recognise that we have made a great deal of progress in many different areas.
“However, there is a lot of hard work ahead and with the backing of our owners and their commitment to the club, I’m confident we will get it right.”
John Henry also spoke about the Frenchman.
“In the short time that Damien has been at the club, he has impressed us greatly with his knowledge of the sport, his work ethic and his incisive intelligence.
“He is a clear thinker and understands exactly what is needed to form a long-term, consistent approach with the philosophy we all share here.”
Tom Werner added,
“Damien has already demonstrated a thorough understanding of what a modern football Club needs to succeed in an ever more competitive environment.
“He has made a tremendous contribution to our scouting, recruitment and player development so far.
“This promotion will see him assume extra responsibilities including overseeing areas such as performance analysis, medical provision, and team administration.
We wish them both well in their new roles, and expect the most important of all to be sorted as soon as possible.