KOP News # 1234

Liverpool suffer third rejection after Frank de Boer stays at Ajax

• De Boer flattered but 'only just getting started at Ajax'
• Brendan Rodgers and Jürgen Klopp have also declined

• Andy Hunter
• Monday 21 May 2012 22.38 BST

Frank de Boer will be staying at Ajax after turning down an invitation to have talks about the manager's job at Liverpool. Photograph: Fabrice Coffrini/EPA

Liverpool will persist with an extensive interview process in the search for a new manager despite Frank de Boer becoming the third candidate publicly to reject the job since Kenny Dalglish was sacked last week.

The Ajax head coach has followed Brendan Rodgers of Swansea City and Jürgen Klopp of Borussia Dortmund in declining an invitation to meet Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group, about the managerial vacancy at Anfield. Didier Deschamps, who was approached under a previous regime in 2010 and has been linked again, has said he expects to remain in charge at Marseille next season.

Liverpool are undeterred by the rejections – indeed it was expected that some would follow the decision to approach several candidates before finalising a shortlist – and they will continue to hold talks this week.

Roberto Martínez of Wigan Athletic is on holiday but that will not prevent him meeting John W Henry and Tom Werner, Liverpool's principal owner and chairman, should an interview be scheduled for Boston later this week. Liverpool have denied that one interview with Martínez has already taken place.

There has been no approach to Fabio Capello despite the Italian being on the club's wishlist and open to the offer of a Premier League job.

André Villas-Boas will also hold talks with the Liverpool hierarchy although the former Porto and Chelsea manager has made it clear he will not rush into a decision. "I'm still choosing the right project and that decision will take the necessary time," he said on Sunday. That view is shared by FSG on the process of replacing Dalglish, an "absolutely critical" appointment as it was described by Liverpool's managing director, Ian Ayre.

De Boer has won successive Eredivisie titles with Ajax since taking over from Martin Jol in 2010 and been widely praised for the team's attacking style. The 42-year-old admitted he was flattered by Liverpool's approach but had no intention of leaving the Amsterdam club at this point in his career.

"I am honoured by the request but I am only just getting started with Ajax," De Boer told De Telegraaf. "In Amsterdam we are on a new path and, along with the club and Wim Jonk and Dennis Bergkamp, my colleagues in the technical heart, I want to bring good things. That's why I will stay loyal to Ajax in the coming years."

Deschamps has also distanced himself from the Liverpool post. The 43-year-old former Juventus midfielder enjoyed title success with Marseille in 2010 but found himself under pressure this season after a disappointing 10th-place finish. He denied seeking a new start away from Stade Vélodrome "It is expected that I will be there [Marseille] next season," said Deschamps. "When it goes badly, there is need to recharge. I will leave on vacation but it is expected that I will be there [Marseille] for 2 July."

Rafael Benítez is keen on a return to Liverpool and enjoys the backing of many supporters but the Spaniard, who still lives on Merseyside, is not under consideration at this stage. Liverpool's owners were told another strong candidate was under the club's nose on Monday when Steve Nicol, the club's respected former defender, claimed David Moyes of Everton would make a fine choice.

"I would have no problem with David Moyes," said "He's a fantastic manager. We talk about having the tools to do the job, and here's a guy who's had to work with blunt instruments, shall we say, and every year he keeps doing it. I would have no problem with him getting the job.

"You can't walk into Liverpool as an apprentice, so to speak. Roberto Martinez and Brendan Rodgers have had good years, but that's all it is. There's a big difference between staying in the Premier League and looking to pick up points here and there, and being expected to pick up three points wherever you go. It's a different ball game and I hope it's an experienced manager with a proven track record."