Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward has agreed a deal with Dutch giants Ajax to join them in the summer.
That’s according to The Mirror, who claim that Ward will start working with the Eredivisie outfit on July 1, after a successful round of talks with CEO Edwin van der Sar.
The 41-year-old announced in November that he would be leaving Anfield at the end of the season, just months after succeeding Michael Edwards as sporting director.
Van der Sar was instructed by Ajax’s board to reopen negotiations with Ward after failing with his first approach to land him.
The Liverpool man will be tasked with restructuring the club’s scouting department as they look to rebuild a team that fell apart once Erik ten Hag departed for Manchester United.
Ward set to join Ajax this summer
Ward’s decision to leave Liverpool still comes as a huge surprise.
Having worked and learned under Edwards’ supervision, the former scout was then appointed as his mentor’s successor.
However, after just months in the role, the 41-year-old announced he would be leaving to take a career break.
Clearly this wasn’t the case, as he is already set to make the switch to Ajax in July.
With numerous other staff members also departing Anfield, it’s likely something has happened or is seriously wrong behind the scenes at the club.
Ward’s decision to leave would be really strange otherwise, especially as Jurgen Klopp thinks he does ‘incredible’ work for the Reds.