Commercial director Ian Ayre appointed as Liverpool’s new managing director

Ian Ayre – Liverpool commercial director

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Liverpool‘s commercial director, Ian Ayre, has been promoted to managing director after a lengthy search, while the club have also confirmed that Damien Comolli has been promoted to director of football.

Ayre had been in his previous post since July 2007 and was responsible for a new shirt sponsorship deal, one of the most lucrative in football, which came into effect at the beginning of the season.

Comolli was brought to the club in by new owners FSG (Fenway Sports Group) in November 2010 as director of football strategy with a responsibility for player recruitment, and has been handed a wider remit with his new role.

Owner John W Henry, told the club’s official website: “Ian has enormous experience gained from his work in the sports and media businesses over the past 15 years and we are delighted to announce this significant appointment.

“We conducted an extensive recruitment search and met with outstanding candidates who sought this role but in the end, after having worked with Ian and other top executives within the club, we realised that Ian had all of the attributes necessary to lead the club forward.

“Ian has been doing an outstanding job driving commercial revenues and has a proven track record in successfully leading and developing businesses in a number of different regions and sectors of importance to Liverpool FC.

“The Standard Chartered kit sponsorship deal, which Ian spearheaded, is but one example of how his prior business experience matches the needs of the club, and he will help us to continue to succeed in the commercial arena going forward.

“But importantly, Ian is also from Liverpool and understands the relationships between the club, the supporters and the city. He will play a key role in all our future plans.”

Comolli, responsible for the signings of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll in January, was brought to the club to provide long-term stability, and chairman Tom Werner confirmed that the Frenchman – formerly a scout at Arsenal and director of football at Tottenham – will take on more duties at the club.

“This promotion will see him assume extra responsibilities including overseeing areas such as performance analysis, medical provision, and team administration,” Werner said.

Henry added: “I am also delighted to announce the promotion of Damien Comolli to director of football. 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 contributiions to the first team and academy.

“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.

“With these key appointments today, the future of Liverpool Football Club is in very good hands. Chairman Tom Werner and I are extraordinarily excited to be working with Ian and Damien as we do the things that must be done to move the club forward in the 21st century.”

Liverpool are still to appoint a long-term manager, with interim boss Kenny Dalglish yet to be offered a permanent deal, and also have the issue of stadium re-development or building on the agenda in forthcoming months.