What Do Juventus Expect From Former Liverpool Director Damien Comoli?

After another disappointing season, Juventus have decided to make significant changes and have announced the appointment of Damien Comoli as the club’s new General Manager from June 4.

In a statement on their official website, the Bianconeri revealed that Comoli – set to report directly to the Chief Executive Officer Maurizio Scanavino – will be responsible for the Men’s Football Area as well as the Marketing and Commercial Departments.

The Turin-based side also revealed that former Captain Giorgio Chiellini will work for Comoli as the Director of Football Strategy, with a major part of his role being to ensure the “values and spirit of Juventus” are upheld.

Who is new Juventus director Damien Comolli?

“We are delighted to welcome Damien and extend our best wishes for his journey with us,” said Maurizio Scanavino in the same statement. “His expertise and professionalism will play a crucial role in Juventus’ path to continued strength and growth.”

Having spent the last five years serving as President of Toulouse, Comoli led the French club to promotion to Ligue 1 and their first ever triumph in the Coupe de France. Prior to that, he had spent a long career in various roles at some high profile clubs, starting with his appointment as a scout for Arsenal back in 1996.

Responsible for identifying talent across Europe during Arsene Wenger’s tenure, he has been credited with bringing players such as Kolo Toure and Gael Clichy to North London before moving on in 2004.

The Frenchman then became Sporting Director at Saint-Étienne, departing after just 12 months to become the director of football at Tottenham. It was during his time with the club that they won their last trophy – the 2008 League Cup Final victory – before lifting this year’s UEFA Europa League.

Comoli’s profit boosts to help Juventus

Comoli brought players including Dimitar Berbatov, Luka Modric and Gareth Bale to Spurs, all three eventually moving on for large profits. Indeed, the latter pair are believed to have cost Tottenham roughly $38 million, but were later sold (separately) to Real Madrid later for a combined $177 million.

Another spell at Saint-Étienne followed, before Comoli spent an eventful 18 months back in the Premier League with Liverpool. Spending over $170 million during the January 2011 transfer window, the director was guilty of bringing in expensive flops including Andy Carroll ($57 million) and Stewart Downing ($33 million).

However, he was also responsible for the acquisition of Luis Suarez from Ajax for a fee of £22.8 million (£30.87 million) and long-time skipper Jordan Henderson for around £16 million ($21.66 million).

Henderson would go on to make almost 500 appearances for the club and Captain them to UEFA Champions League glory in 2019 as well as their first top flight English title since 1990.

Meanwhile, Suarez would win the 2013/14 Premier League Golden Boot and European Golden Shoe awards after scoring 31 league goals in 33 appearances, before moving to Barcelona for £64.98 million ($87.98 million).

What Damien Comolli brings to Juventus

Those kinds of deals would be hugely attractive to Juve, delivering tangible success on the field as well as securing much-needed boosts to their ailing finances, with the recent qualification for next season’s Champions League helping on both fronts.

“I am thrilled and privileged to join a Club distinguished by its history, identity and ambitious vision,” Comoli said after his appointment. “From the very first day, I will dedicate my experience to Juventus with the ultimate goal of achieving victory — just as Juventus is meant to, and as our fans rightfully expect.”

Supporters and club officials will expect just that, with Juve’s decision to dismiss Cristiano Giuntoli coming as a direct result of his failure to deliver results. In less than two years at the helm, the former Napoli director replaced both Max Allegri and Thiago Motta as Coach while bringing in a number of high profile signings who did not live up to expectations.

Finishing third and fourth in Serie A over the last two seasons was never going to satisfy Italian football’s most successful club, especially while Giuntoli was also responsible for expensive flops like Teun Koopmeiners (signed for €54.7 million/$62.49) and Douglas Luiz (€50 million/$57.12 million).

It is into that world that the new General Manager now steps. Damien Comoli has had success in the past, but he will need to deliver quickly both on and off the pitch at Juventus.