Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow quits job

Purslow (left) oversaw the sale of the club to John W Henry's NESV group

Liverpool's managing director Christian Purslow is to step down from the post following the £300m sale of the club to New England Sports Ventures (NESV).

But Purslow will remain at Anfield as a non-executive director and will act as a special adviser to the new owners.

"I came to lead the club through a sale process to get the best deal including, vitally, removing the debt," he said.

"I am immensely proud of what we've achieved and look forward to assisting the owners in any way I can."

The long drawn-out sale of the club, previously co-owned by Americans George Gillett and Tom Hicks, combined with the club's disastrous form, has made for a painful season so far for the Reds faithful.

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But hopes are high that things will improve following the sale of the club to the company fronted by John W Henry that owns the Boston Red Sox baseball team.

Purslow was appointed by Hicks and Gillett in the summer of 2009, in succession to Rick Parry, who had served as chief executive, with an eye on bringing more investment into the club.

But his role changed earlier this year when they decided to sell the club, culminating in the sale to NESV.

"We are delighted Christian has accepted our offer to help us and the club, given his great experience and love for Liverpool FC," said NESV chairman Tom Werner.

"We will now begin a global search process for a chief executive officer."

On Tuesday, former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez made a thinly-veiled attack on Purslow's influence during his time at Anfield.

The closest Liverpool came to winning the Premier League under Benitez was the season before Purslow joined the club, and the Spaniard clearly felt Purslow's actions had not helped.

"After 86 points and a second place (in 2009) in the Premier League, many things changed," said Benitez, now in charge of Inter Milan.

"Within Liverpool they decided to take a new managing director (Purslow) who in turn changed many things within the club.

"He changed the lawyer, the head of press, the manager, nine players, even the fitness coach and the medical sector.

"He was the one responsible for the decisions. All these decisions changed many things within the club."