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Ian Ayre

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For the Australian tennis player, see Ian Ayre (tennis).

Ian Ayre
Ayre in 2015
Born (1963-07-06) 6 July 1963 (age 61)
Liverpool, England
NationalityEnglish

Ian Ayre is the CEO of Nashville SC of Major League Soccer and a former chief executive officer and main board director of Premier League club Liverpool.[1]

Career

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Leaving school at age 16, he joined the Royal Navy. After leaving the senior service, he then undertook various roles in business in Asia, eventually becoming chief executive of Pace Systems.[2]

Liverpool FC

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On 15 October 2010, NESV completed its £300m takeover of Liverpool,[3] at which time the club's existing Managing Director Christian Purslow stepped down. The club's owners, Fenway Sports Group, led by John W. Henry and the chairman Tom Werner, announced Ayre as the new Managing Director on 22 March 2011.[4][5][6] With the sacking of sporting director Damien Comolli in April 2012, Ayre was given more responsibility and in May 2014 was officially promoted to chief executive officer.[7] In March 2016, Liverpool announced Ayre would step down as CEO at the end of May 2017, when his current contract expired.[8]

In November 2016, Ayre was awarded the 'fcbusiness Premier League CEO of the Year' award at the Football Business Awards 2016.[9][10]

Criticisms

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In 2012, a transfer committee was established after Liverpool's failure to land several notable transfers and underwhelming incoming transfers were widely criticized by media and fans alike.[11][12][13] In January 2016, Ayre was criticized for his role in a proposed increase in ticket prices despite boosts in commercial revenue, which led to a walkout of 10,000 fans led by fan group Spirit of Shankly.[14] The club owners later issued a formal apology and reversed their decision.[15]

1860 Munich

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Ayre left Liverpool at the end of February 2017 to take over as managing director of TSV 1860 Munich in Germany. He left this position in May 2017 shortly before 1860 Munich was relegated to the 3 Liga[16] and later went down to the fourth division due to financial issues.

Nashville SC

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On 21 May 2018, Ayre was named the CEO of the Nashville expansion franchise in the American Major League Soccer.[17]

References

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  1. ^ "How do you build a team from scratch?". BBC Sport.
  2. ^ Alex Turner (14 October 2010). "Profile of Liverpool FC commercial director Ian Ayre". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 30 March 2011.
  3. ^ "New owner John W Henry determined to revive Liverpool". BBC Sport. 16 October 2010. Retrieved 20 October 2010.
  4. ^ "Liverpool appoint Ian Ayre as new managing director". BBC Sport. 23 March 2010. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  5. ^ "Liverpool appoint Ian Ayre as managing director and promote Damien Comolli". Daily Telegraph. 23 March 2010. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  6. ^ Rice, Jimmy (13 August 2008). "Meet Rushie and Thommo at Anfield tomorrow". Liverpoolfc.tv. Retrieved 13 August 2008.
  7. ^ Jones, Neil (5 June 2014). "Ian Ayre promoted to LFC chief executive role". liverpoolecho. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  8. ^ "Ian Ayre to step down as CEO in May 2017". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  9. ^ "Football Business Awards - Categories | Football Business Awards". 31 May 2019.
  10. ^ "Reds CEO Ian Ayre scoops top award". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  11. ^ Metro.co.uk, Jamie McLaughlin for (6 February 2014). "Should Ian Ayre be sacked by Liverpool?". Metro. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  12. ^ Football, Mirror (19 May 2012). "Tough love: Liverpool MD Ayre defends owners over Dalglish sacking". mirror. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  13. ^ Lusby, Jack (3 November 2015). "Jurgen Klopp has "final say" despite Liverpool's transfer committee approach - Ian Ayre - This Is Anfield". This Is Anfield. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  14. ^ Wilson, Paul (4 February 2016). "Liverpool fans plan first ever walkout protest at Anfield over £77 ticket prices". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  15. ^ Boardman, Jim (11 February 2016). "Why Liverpool's £77 ticket climbdown is not quite the win for fans it appeared". mirror. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  16. ^ "Ian Ayre frustrated by shareholder battles as he quits 1860 Munich". espnfc.com. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  17. ^ "Former Liverpool chief Ian Ayre to head up Nashville MLS outfit". SportsPro Media. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
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