Liverpool appoint Damien Comolli to oversee search for new talent
Liverpool’s new owners New England Sports Ventures (NESV) have appointed Damien Comolli as their director of football strategy, as the new American revolution gathers pace at Anfield.
Thirty-eight-year-old Frenchman Comolli held a similar role at Tottenham Hotspur between 2005 and 2008, and previously worked as a scout at Arsenal.
During his time at Spurs, he was considered responsible for signing the likes of Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, Dimitar Berbatov and Heurelho Gomes, as well as several others who played for the club with varying degrees of success, whilst he also scouted Kolo Touré, Emmanuel Eboue and Gael Clichy for Arsenal.
Highly rated by Gunners boss Arsène Wenger, Comolli will have a big job on his hands at Liverpool, as new owner John W Henry and NESV seek to overhaul an ageing squad and freshen it up with younger, brighter talent.
“Damien has a proven track-record of identifying exciting young footballing talent and we are delighted that he has agreed to join Liverpool,” said Henry today.
“Today's announcement is just the first step in creating a leadership group and structure designed to develop, enhance and implement our long-term philosophy of scouting, recruitment, player development and all of the other aspects necessary to build and sustain a club able to consistently compete at the highest level in European football.
“We intend to be bold and innovative. We will not rest until we have restored Liverpool Football Club to the greatness Liverpool fans expect.”
The Reds have had a rocky start to life under new manager Roy Hodgson, with the 63-year-old already on record to suggest that he will look to improve the squad in the January transfer window. Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s Europa League tie with Napoli at Anfield, the Englishman was happy with his new colleague.
“I am looking forward to working with Damien whom I have known for many years,” he said.
“We are engaged in an exciting project here and he will bring a lot to the table. We all want to see moves to strengthen the squad and support player development over the next few years. John Henry and I are totally united in delivering on that ambition.”
The Reds have been linked with a number of high-profile names in recent weeks, and with the squad short of options in attacking areas, Comolli is likely to be already scouring the globe for talent already. Established players such as Ibrahim Afellay, Ola Toivanen and Mario Gomez have all been mentioned, but Comolli was looking longer term today.
“I am delighted to be joining Liverpool and look forward to working with John and Roy,” he said. “I think we all realise there is a big job ahead, but we all share the vision that John has for rebuilding the club and bringing back the success that the supporters deserve.”
Tags: