’Pool target De Boer stays loyal to Ajax

Ajax manager Frank de Boer has ruled himself out of the running for the Liverpool job as he wishes to remain loyal to the Dutch club.

It has been reported Liverpool, who are working their way through a short-list of candidates they would like to speak to about replacing Kenny Dalglish, made a request to approach the Dutchman.

“I am honoured by the request but I have only just started with Ajax,” De Boer told De Telegraaf.

“In Amsterdam, we are on a new path and I, along with Wim Jonk and Dennis Bergkamp – my colleagues on the technical side – want to bring success.”

De Boer is the second manager to turn down the chance to speak to Liverpool after Swansea’s Brendan Rodgers did on Friday.

Former Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas remains one of the favourites while Wigan’s Roberto Martinez has also been given permission to speak with Liverpool officials.

Meanwhile, Villas-Boas insisted that he won’t be rushed into a decision on his future.

Villas-Boas told The Independent: “I’m still choosing the right project and that decision will take the necessary time.”

The Portuguese also congra-tulated his successor at Chelsea, Roberto Di Matteo, on the club’s victory over Bayern Munich.

“The biggest award is to win the Champions League,” said Villas-Boas. “Congratulations to Di Matteo and the players.”