Liverpool appoint new managing director

Liverpool have finally ended their search for a new managing director by promoting from within, confirming former commercial director Ian Ayre has been appointed to the role.

Owners Fenway Sports Group, led by John Henry and chairman Tom Werner, have also made Damien Comolli the club's director of football - a step up from his position as director of football strategy.

The search for a managing director has taken FSG longer than they had anticipated as when they began the hunt in December they hoped to have a man in position early in the new year.

However, Ayre's appointment is recognition of the impressive work he has done on the commercial side since he joined the club in July 2007.

Henry, who together with Werner has been on Merseyside since last Thursday, said: "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.

"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 of our future plans."

FSG brought Comolli to the club in November in order to bring some continuity to football operations.

"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," added Henry.

"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.

"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 the future of Liverpool Football Club is in very good hands.

"Tom 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."

Ayre is confident the new management structure can take Liverpool forward and make them more successful in the future.

"We have been through some difficult times, but we find ourselves today with a great team of people all working together for the same goal," he said.

"An important part of this new job will be to work closely with all our different stakeholders and help us move forward together.

"John and Tom have a clear vision for rebuilding the club and bringing back success and I'm delighted to be able to help shape that future."

Comolli admits there is a lot of ground to be made up but he too is optimistic about the club's fortunes.

"I'm very proud that I am going to be able to make significant contributions to the development of this great club," he said.

"It has been an exciting five months and I think all of us recognise that we have made a great deal of progress in many different areas.

"However, there is a lot of hard work ahead and with the backing of our owners and their commitment to the club, I'm confident we will get it right."

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.