Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward has begun contract negotiations over a move to Ajax.
Ward is set to depart Anfield after just a year in his role at the end of the current season. There had been rumblings that a relocation to Amsterdam may follow and according to Dutch outlet AD, that is near to completion.
They report to having assurances from club ‘insiders’ who insist that contract talks are now underway with Ward.
The Liverpool man has reportedly seen off competition from others to lead the way as Ajax’s ‘top candidate.’ Among those Ward looks set to beat to the punch is former Real Madrid striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
Having initially scoured their home country for a suitable candidate, Ajax are said to have opened the field up to foreign candidates. With Ward set to leave Liverpool, he was identified as a potential option. Noted as being ‘serious and calm,’ the Reds staffer is said to be seen as being ideal for Ajax.
Not all bad news for Liverpool
Although disappointing to lose Ward, this doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom from a Liverpool viewpoint.
Should he end up at Ajax – as looks likely – the Reds may have a handy ‘in’ at the Dutch club. Notoriously one of the continent’s top talent developers, this could give Liverpool a leg up on any future deals.
Jurgen Klopp and co are said to be tracking Mohammed Kudus from the Amsterdammers currently. Perhaps Ward taking over in the summer could just tip things in Liverpool’s favour there.
‘Jules’ certainly owes his soon-to-be former employers one. He may see things differently, but Ward has left the Reds a little up the creek without a paddle.
A lot of faith and trust was placed in him to take over from Michael Edwards last year. That he has failed to really pay back that faith is his legacy right now.
But, foster good relations with Liverpool in his new role, and it doesn’t have to be that way. Klopp has previously hailed Ward’s work as being ‘incredible.’ We didn’t see that enough at Anfield, but maybe there’s still a way he can prove himself to be useful.