Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre downplays fears over Damien Comolli’s role: ‘He’s not trying to be the manager’

Ian Ayre – Liverpool commercial director

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New managing director of Liverpool Ian Ayre has sought to clarify the role of Damien Comolli, who was this week promoted to the position of director of football, and stressed the importance of unity as the owners strive to improve the club’s position both on and off the pitch.

Ayre, formerly the club’s commercial director, hopes his new position will bring a more unified leadership to Liverpool, something which he believes has been an issue for a few years.

Comolli has also been promoted from his previous post as director of football strategy and has been given a wider remit beyond scouting and player recruitment.

Ayre believes the Frenchman’s new role will not interfere with manager Kenny Dalglish’s work and will benefit the club.

“When Damien first came in under the role of director of football strategy, it was more focused on things like recruitment,” Ayre told the club’s official website.

“This role takes on really all of the footballing side, which is the way many big clubs evolve into. It’s such a big machine with so many people involved that you need somebody that is thinking about that every day.

“He’s not trying to be the manager, he’s not trying to pick the team.

“Football managers typically aren’t really skilled or focused on those things, so it’s a great appointment.”

When asked if he would have a close day-to-day relationship with Comolli, he added: “It comes back to that point of unity. The two core elements of a football club are the business and the football, so Damien and I really take that burden on our shoulders collectively and us working together is a vital element.”

The managing director also praised the new owners and the impact they have had on the club since taking over in October.

“They take their time, they don’t dive into things, they listen, that has been evident to many people in the short period of time – it’s only been five months,” Ayre continued.

“Going forward that’s a great asset to have in owners, they have such great experience in sport through the Red Sox and other investments, to be able to tap into that are fantastic for all of us, not just for myself.

“They have that dialogue with everyone at a certain level and that’s really good. It means it’s not all about talking to Ian Ayre, talking to Kenny or talking to Damien, they talk to everyone across the club.

“That’s great because they get a real sense of what we’re all doing and what we’re trying to achieve, and it comes back to that thing about all working together.”