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Ian Ayre | |
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 Ayre in 2015 | |
| Born | (1963-07-06)6 July 1963 (age 62) Liverpool, England |
Ian Ayre (born 6 July 1963) is the CEO ofNashville SC ofMajor League Soccer and a former chief executive officer and main board director ofPremier League clubLiverpool.[1]
Leaving school at age 16, he joined theRoyal Navy. After leaving the senior service, he then undertook various roles in business in Asia, eventually becoming chief executive ofPace Systems.[2]
On 15 October 2010,NESV completed its £300m takeover of Liverpool,[3] at which time the club's existing Managing DirectorChristian Purslow stepped down. The club's owners,Fenway Sports Group, led byJohn W. Henry and the chairmanTom Werner, announced Ayre as the new Managing Director on 22 March 2011.[4][5][6] With the sacking ofsporting directorDamien Comolli in April 2012, Ayre was given more responsibility and in May 2014 was officially promoted tochief 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 theFootball Business Awards 2016.[9][10]
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 groupSpirit of Shankly.[14] The club owners later issued a formal apology and reversed their decision.[15]
Ayre left Liverpool at the end of February 2017 to take over as managing director ofTSV 1860 Munich in Germany. He left this position in May 2017 shortly before 1860 Munich was relegated to the3 Liga[16] and later went down to thefourth division due to financial issues.
On 21 May 2018, Ayre was named the CEO of theNashville expansion franchise in the AmericanMajor League Soccer.[17]