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Ian Ayre frustrated by shareholder battles as he quits 1860 Munich

Former Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre has left 1860 Munich after only eight weeks at the club, with his departure coming hours before the 1966 Bundesliga champions were relegated to the third tier amid chaotic scenes.

Ayre, 54, left his role at Anfield in February to become general manger at Munich, but told the Liverpool Echo that constant battles between the shareholders had drained him.

He said that although a budget for next season had been established, "there remains significant disagreement between various shareholders at a crucial time, making it impossible for me to continue in the role."

Ayre praised club owner Hasan Ismaik as "hugely passionate" but warned that his investment "will not bear fruit unless all shareholders align behind shared objectives for the future with respect for each other. Currently this is not the case."

His resignation was withheld from the public until the end of the home leg of 1860's relegation-promotion playoff against Jahn Regensburg.

The hosts lost 2-0 -- 3-1 on aggregate -- in a match that was suspended around 10 minutes from time as seats were thrown onto the Allianz Arena pitch.

Following the match, which Ismaik did not attend, club president Peter Cassalette handed in his resignation.

German football magazine kicker reported that Lil Zercher, the club's press officer, had been left to explain to journalists that nobody in charge was available to comment on the turmoil.

Coach Vitor Pereira, who only joined in January 2017, all but confirmed his own departure when he told reporters that he had done all he could, while the majority of the players are also expected to leave.