Liverpool's departing sporting director Julian Ward has reportedly been identified as a candidate for one of the top jobs in Dutch football.
Ward is set to leave his post at Anfield at the end of the season, but until now there has been no indication of where he could land next. But according to the Netherlands paper De Telegraaf, he is a 'strong candidate' to become the new technical director at renowned Amsterdam club Ajax.
Liverpool made a surprise announcement in November when it emerged that Ward, who has been with the Reds for over 10 years in various roles, would be leaving the club altogether next summer, despite only replacing Michael Edwards as sporting director at the end of last season.
READ MORE: Liverpool's spine has been ripped out and Jurgen Klopp was powerless to stop it
READ MORE: Liverpool 'transition' is in danger of leaving one midfielder behind
The Dutch media report says: "Ajax is giving full throttle in the search for a new director of football affairs to succeed Marc Overmars. He must be able to get started on July 1 at the latest"
But that stated deadline poses a potential problem for both Ajax and Ward, if he is interested in taking up the position. It's understood by the ECHO that Ward will be unable to join another club for the next 12 months following his exit.
And it has been suggested that the current Reds sporting director is set to take a break after over a decade in a variety of demanding and challenging roles at Liverpool.
Nevertheless, the Dutch outlet has highlighted him as a potential replacement for Marc Overmars, who left his posts with Ajax last February, after admitting he had sent inappropriate messages to female colleagues.
Whether the Eredivisie outfit would be prepared to hold the position for Ward for 12 months or possibly look to strike a deal with Liverpool so he could commence the role earlier is detail that would still need to be thrashed out, should Ajax remain intent on landing their man.
READ NEXT:
Jurgen Klopp needs clarity from FSG to help solve glaring Liverpool problem
RedBird Capital not in talks over upping FSG stake after Liverpool claims
What Jurgen Klopp has said about Man City as Premier League charges confirmed
Liverpool given surprising Premier League top four prediction by 'supercomputer'
How Man City could be punished if found guilty of alleged breaches as Liverpool watch on
