Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre to leave in 2017

Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre is to leave his position end of next season.

The 52-year-old has been in his current role since 2013, having previously been managing director and commercial director in a nine-year spell at Anfield, but has decided to step down at the end of his contract in May 2017.

Ayre has often been seen as a divisive figure among fans, often bearing the brunt of criticism from those who did not see him as having the necessary experience to run a club of Liverpool’s stature, while he was also the target of much of the supporters’ anger during the recent ticket price protests.