Liverpool have handed more power to Damien Comolli
who has been named as director of football at
Anfield.
Comolli's influence over the club has grown steadily since
his arrival on Merseyside, shortly after being appointed by
Liverpool owner John W Henry's Fenway Sports Group.
His initial role was to oversee transfers, but has now
been placed in charge of all football strategy at the
club.
Moving on up: Comolli (left) has impressed Henry
(right) since his arrival at Anfield
Comolli, who has previously scouted for Arsenal,
had performed a similar role for Tottenham, before becoming the
sporting director at Saint-Etienne.
He became a target for fans at White Hart Lane as the club
slid to the bottom of the Premier League before leaving along with
coach Juande Ramos in October 2008.
However, he has always defended his record and Spurs are
now seeing the benefits of him signing the likes of Gareth Bale,
Aaron Lennon and Tom Huddlestone.
Liverpool owner Henry said of Comolli's appointment: 'In
the short time that Damien has been at the club, he has impressed
us greatly with his knowledge of the sport, his work ethic and his
incisive intelligence.
'He is a clear thinker and understands exactly what is
needed to form a long-term, consistent approach with the philosophy
we all share here.
'He has a track record of identifying young talent and has
already made significant contributions to the first team and
academy.
Spurred on: Tottenham dispensed with Comolli's
services as the club languished at the bottom of the
league
'Damien played a leading role in our January
transfer window activity with the recruitment of Luis Suarez and
Andy Carroll. These two additions will play a significant role in
the future of the club.
'All of us at Liverpool Football Club who have been
working on a day-to-day basis with Damien believe he will be a key
contributor for many, many years here as we build a football
operation second to none.
Liverpool have confirmed also the appointment of Ian Ayre
as managing director which means the only major appointment now
outstanding is that of manager, with Kenny Dalglish only brought in
by FSG as an interim measure until the end of the season in the
wake of Roy Hodgson's departure.
Such has been the success of the club icon not only in
effecting results on the field but changing the atmosphere off it
that it is inconceivable the 60-year-old Scot will not be offered a
more permanent deal.
Dalglish will not need any persuading to remain in the
role in which he believes he has unfinished business, having walked
out 20 years ago last month.
It seems likely Henry and Werner will try to tie up the
loose ends of that deal before the end of the campaign in order to
provide the stability required for rebuilding in the
summer.