Post by Macmoish on Nov 4, 2010 6:43:54 GMT
Maybe we could have one of those...! 
Independent
Liverpool appoint Damien Comolli as director of football strategy
PA Wednesday, 3 November 2010
Liverpool have appointed former Tottenham sporting director Damien Comolli as director of football strategy.
The Frenchman left Spurs in October 2008 after the departure of manager Juande Ramos and joined St Etienne, whom he has now left to move to Anfield.
"Damien has a proven track-record of identifying exciting young footballing talent and we are delighted that he has agreed to join Liverpool," said John Henry, principal of New England Sports Ventures - the club's new owners.
"Working closely with Roy Hodgson and the coaching staff, I know he will make a valuable contribution to strengthening the club and the squad as we move forward.
"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."
Manager Roy Hodgson believes the squad he inherited from predecessor Rafael Benitez was lacking quality in depth and has complained about his options on the playing front several times this season.
Comolli's appointment is intended to help the Reds boss boost his squad with the right type of player.
"I am looking forward to working with Damien whom I have known for many years," said Hodgson.
"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."
Comolli added: "I am delighted to be joining Liverpool and look forward to working with John and Roy.
"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."
At his pre-match press conference Hodgson offered his apologies to predecessor Rafael Benitez.
The Spaniard, on Monday, responded to comments the 63-year-old had made about the state of the club when he took over by saying "He's talking about things that he doesn't know.
"Some people cannot see a priest on a mountain of sugar. Instead of talking about flips and flops, he has to concentrate on his job, try to do his best and not talk about the level of his players or the new players."
Hodgson today offered an olive branch to Benitez, who has continued to criticise elements at the club despite leaving for Inter Milan in the summer.
"I totally agree with him that every manager needs to work with his own club," said the Reds boss.
"If I have upset him by saying something which I certainly didn't mean to be in any way critical or negative about his work at the club, then I would happily apologise because there was never any intention to do that.
"As far as I am concerned I work at Liverpool and do my best for Liverpool, and he will work at Inter and do his best for Inter.
"I have no comments to make about other people's opinions - I'll allow them to make them and in this case I'll accept them if that's what they want to be
www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/liverpool-appoint-damien-comolli-as-director-of-football-strategy-2124167.html
GUARDIAN/Andy Hunter
Roy Hodgson says Damien Comolli a 'positive appointment' for Liverpool
• To me this structure makes perfect sense, says Hodgson
• Liverpool manager claims he has final say on transfers
Roy Hodgson has insisted he still has the final say on Liverpool's transfer policy after John W Henry installed Damien Comolli as the director of football strategy.
Comolli, who resigned as sporting director at St Etienne ahead of yesterday's announcement, is Henry's first major appointment at Anfield since last month's £300m takeover by New England Sports Ventures and represents a break from the traditional managerial system at Liverpool.
The Frenchman spent seven years as a European scout for Arsène Wenger at Arsenal but the 38-year-old is best remembered in English football for a turbulent three years as director of football at Tottenham Hotspur. Though he has taken credit for the signing of Gareth Bale, Comolli was accused of imposing poor players on the managers Martin Jol and Juande Ramos before being dismissed with Ramos in October 2008. Spurs spent approximately £180m on transfers during his time at White Hart Lane.
Henry described Comolli's arrival at Anfield as "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".
Hodgson was not involved in Comolli's recruitment, but said he has no issue with Henry's decision. "The owners made it clear to me when they came to the club that this was a structure they wanted to operate under and to me it makes perfect sense. All managers have someone they lean on and take advice from. The days of the dictatorial type of English manager have long since passed anyway."
The Liverpool manager admitted transfer policy can be a source of conflict at clubs who employ a director of football. "That is on recruitment, always," he said. "As far as I know there has never been a sporting director who had a large input on team selection and who plays. It is on transfers, recruitment, where that [conflict] can come about."
Hodgson is adamant his authority has not been undermined by Comolli's appointment and dismissed concerns that Tottenham's former troubles could be replicated at Anfield. Asked whether he retained the final say on signings, the manager replied: "I do, yes. We will have to wait and see, I suppose, but there is no reason for me not to believe that. I would be very surprised if managers and coaches of the class of Martin Jol and Juande Ramos just took players totally on somebody else's recommendation. It won't happen here. I don't think so anyway."
How Hodgson would react if a player was imposed on him is also to be determined. He said: "That is looking at something which I think is a positive appointment in a negative way. I can't imagine it happening, but who knows? Maybe it will and if that day comes, God forbid. I will deal with it but I'm not going to be spending any time concerning myself with it at the moment. It's certainly not the idea behind his appointment, I do know that for certain."
Liverpool host Napoli in the Europa League tonight when a major police operation will be in place to deal with an estimated 7,000 Italian supporters (the away allocation is 2,600) and in response to the violence that marred the Anfield club's visit to Naples a fortnight ago. Three Liverpool fans were stabbed on the eve of that game with several others attacked outside Stadio San Paolo. Chief Superintendent Dave Lewis, of Merseyside Police, said: "I am aware that there were some disorder issues in Naples during the last game. We take this type of behaviour very seriously and will not tolerate unacceptable behaviour."
Liverpool (4-2-3-1, probable): Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Kelly; Spearing, Poulsen; Jovanovic, Shelvey, Babel; Ngog.
Subs from Torres, Gerrard, Konchesky, Meireles, Lucas, Jones, Aurélio, Kyrgiakos, Rodríguez, Wilson, Eccleston, Pacheco.
Napoli (3-4-2-1, probable): De Sanctis; Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica; Maggio, Pazienza, Gargano, Dossena; Hamsik, Lavezzi; Cavani. Subs from Iezzo, Grava, Dumitru, Zuniga, Yebda, Cribari, Sosa, Blasi.
Referee: F Fautrel (Fra).
TV: Five, kick-off 8.05pm
www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/nov/04/roy-hodgson-liverpool-damien-comolli-appointment
Independent
Liverpool appoint Damien Comolli as director of football strategy
PA Wednesday, 3 November 2010
Liverpool have appointed former Tottenham sporting director Damien Comolli as director of football strategy.
The Frenchman left Spurs in October 2008 after the departure of manager Juande Ramos and joined St Etienne, whom he has now left to move to Anfield.
"Damien has a proven track-record of identifying exciting young footballing talent and we are delighted that he has agreed to join Liverpool," said John Henry, principal of New England Sports Ventures - the club's new owners.
"Working closely with Roy Hodgson and the coaching staff, I know he will make a valuable contribution to strengthening the club and the squad as we move forward.
"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."
Manager Roy Hodgson believes the squad he inherited from predecessor Rafael Benitez was lacking quality in depth and has complained about his options on the playing front several times this season.
Comolli's appointment is intended to help the Reds boss boost his squad with the right type of player.
"I am looking forward to working with Damien whom I have known for many years," said Hodgson.
"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."
Comolli added: "I am delighted to be joining Liverpool and look forward to working with John and Roy.
"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."
At his pre-match press conference Hodgson offered his apologies to predecessor Rafael Benitez.
The Spaniard, on Monday, responded to comments the 63-year-old had made about the state of the club when he took over by saying "He's talking about things that he doesn't know.
"Some people cannot see a priest on a mountain of sugar. Instead of talking about flips and flops, he has to concentrate on his job, try to do his best and not talk about the level of his players or the new players."
Hodgson today offered an olive branch to Benitez, who has continued to criticise elements at the club despite leaving for Inter Milan in the summer.
"I totally agree with him that every manager needs to work with his own club," said the Reds boss.
"If I have upset him by saying something which I certainly didn't mean to be in any way critical or negative about his work at the club, then I would happily apologise because there was never any intention to do that.
"As far as I am concerned I work at Liverpool and do my best for Liverpool, and he will work at Inter and do his best for Inter.
"I have no comments to make about other people's opinions - I'll allow them to make them and in this case I'll accept them if that's what they want to be
www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/liverpool-appoint-damien-comolli-as-director-of-football-strategy-2124167.html
GUARDIAN/Andy Hunter
Roy Hodgson says Damien Comolli a 'positive appointment' for Liverpool
• To me this structure makes perfect sense, says Hodgson
• Liverpool manager claims he has final say on transfers
Roy Hodgson has insisted he still has the final say on Liverpool's transfer policy after John W Henry installed Damien Comolli as the director of football strategy.
Comolli, who resigned as sporting director at St Etienne ahead of yesterday's announcement, is Henry's first major appointment at Anfield since last month's £300m takeover by New England Sports Ventures and represents a break from the traditional managerial system at Liverpool.
The Frenchman spent seven years as a European scout for Arsène Wenger at Arsenal but the 38-year-old is best remembered in English football for a turbulent three years as director of football at Tottenham Hotspur. Though he has taken credit for the signing of Gareth Bale, Comolli was accused of imposing poor players on the managers Martin Jol and Juande Ramos before being dismissed with Ramos in October 2008. Spurs spent approximately £180m on transfers during his time at White Hart Lane.
Henry described Comolli's arrival at Anfield as "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".
Hodgson was not involved in Comolli's recruitment, but said he has no issue with Henry's decision. "The owners made it clear to me when they came to the club that this was a structure they wanted to operate under and to me it makes perfect sense. All managers have someone they lean on and take advice from. The days of the dictatorial type of English manager have long since passed anyway."
The Liverpool manager admitted transfer policy can be a source of conflict at clubs who employ a director of football. "That is on recruitment, always," he said. "As far as I know there has never been a sporting director who had a large input on team selection and who plays. It is on transfers, recruitment, where that [conflict] can come about."
Hodgson is adamant his authority has not been undermined by Comolli's appointment and dismissed concerns that Tottenham's former troubles could be replicated at Anfield. Asked whether he retained the final say on signings, the manager replied: "I do, yes. We will have to wait and see, I suppose, but there is no reason for me not to believe that. I would be very surprised if managers and coaches of the class of Martin Jol and Juande Ramos just took players totally on somebody else's recommendation. It won't happen here. I don't think so anyway."
How Hodgson would react if a player was imposed on him is also to be determined. He said: "That is looking at something which I think is a positive appointment in a negative way. I can't imagine it happening, but who knows? Maybe it will and if that day comes, God forbid. I will deal with it but I'm not going to be spending any time concerning myself with it at the moment. It's certainly not the idea behind his appointment, I do know that for certain."
Liverpool host Napoli in the Europa League tonight when a major police operation will be in place to deal with an estimated 7,000 Italian supporters (the away allocation is 2,600) and in response to the violence that marred the Anfield club's visit to Naples a fortnight ago. Three Liverpool fans were stabbed on the eve of that game with several others attacked outside Stadio San Paolo. Chief Superintendent Dave Lewis, of Merseyside Police, said: "I am aware that there were some disorder issues in Naples during the last game. We take this type of behaviour very seriously and will not tolerate unacceptable behaviour."
Liverpool (4-2-3-1, probable): Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Kelly; Spearing, Poulsen; Jovanovic, Shelvey, Babel; Ngog.
Subs from Torres, Gerrard, Konchesky, Meireles, Lucas, Jones, Aurélio, Kyrgiakos, Rodríguez, Wilson, Eccleston, Pacheco.
Napoli (3-4-2-1, probable): De Sanctis; Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica; Maggio, Pazienza, Gargano, Dossena; Hamsik, Lavezzi; Cavani. Subs from Iezzo, Grava, Dumitru, Zuniga, Yebda, Cribari, Sosa, Blasi.
Referee: F Fautrel (Fra).
TV: Five, kick-off 8.05pm
www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/nov/04/roy-hodgson-liverpool-damien-comolli-appointment