Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward has turned down an offer from Ajax.

Ward was Ajax's top target as they seek to make a new sporting director appointment this summer. But the Englishman has decided against taking up the proposal.

Ward will leave Liverpool in the summer, but intends to take a break from the game before considering his next move.

De Telegraaf says it could now be Sven Mislintat who fills this position.

Mislintat is a free agent after his departure from Stuttgart; in the past he also worked with Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal.