Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward has sealed a deal to take up a similar role with Dutch giants Ajax in the summer.
Ward, 41, shockingly announced in November he would be leaving Anfield at the end of the season just a few months after replacing the highly-successful Michael Edwards in the transfer hot seat. Ahead of his departure, he has agreed to help Ajax rebuild after the departure of manager Erik ten Hag and several top players last summer.
Ward will officially start work on July 1 after fresh talks with Ajax chief executive Edwin van der Sar finally brought a breakthrough over financial terms.
Van der Sar was instructed by the Dutch club’s board to reopen negotiations after failing with his first approach. Ward has developed a big reputation in the game for recruiting players, working under Edwards at Anfield before taking up a more senior role.
He led Liverpool’s charm offensives for Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez. Ward has a strong network of contacts in South America and also in Portugal, where he once scouted for Liverpool.
Ajax have struggled to replace Marc Overmars after sacking the former Arsenal winger following allegations of sexual harassment. Ward will be tasked with restructuring the scouting department as the Amsterdam club look to rebuild a team that fell apart once Ten Hag departed for Manchester United.
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The Dutchman took Brazilian winger Antony and Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez with him to Old Trafford. His successor, Alfred Schreuder, was sacked after just eight months following a poor run of results.
Money will not be an issue for Ward after Ajax cashed in to the tune of £500million over the last three years after selling a host of star players. The Eredivisie side are fighting for the title with arch-rivals Feyenoord, who they entertain in a crucial game on Sunday.
Ward will become Ajax’s first foreign sporting director, although 38 of the club’s 50 managers between 1915 and 1965 were English. Vic Buckingham was their last English manager before the legendary Rinus Michels took over.
