Comolli signed some good players for us and even some of those that flopped went on to prove themselves elsewhere, but he often brought in signings that we didn't need. He'd buy a forward when we needed a left-back or a winger when we needed a holding midfielder or something. He also massively overpaid for some pretty poor players. He might do better on the continent, where they DoF role is more accepted. He'd still need somebody to tell him when not to buy a player, though.
The DoF role is surely to think of the long-term. If the manager needs a particular style of player then a loan is often appropriate. You can directly measure a DoFs success by the value of his signings when they are sold on. The last time I looked both Arnesen and Comolli did well for us under that measure whereas signings in the no DoF era under Harry pretty much broke even.
I absolutely agree... it's harder to objectively qualify how well he did through footballing terms though than prices. The most frequent accusation placed against him is that of a "money waster"- spending too much on average players... something that players like Bale/Suarez highly offset. I do agree though that its more important how the players perform than how much they sell for.
Buying players who are never going to play is never going to work out well, though. Their value won't increase and will probably decrease, plus you'll have an unhappy squad. The likes of Dos Santos and Boateng were and are good players, but they're difficult to manage and needed games at the time, both for their own benefit and to keep them happy.
"it's harder to objectively qualify how well he did through footballing terms though than prices." Not at all. The on-pitch measures are how : - long on average did the players signed by the DoF stay at the club - did the fortunes of the club change over their time Both Arnesen and Comolli fare quite well indeed. But sadly for them (and perhaps for all DoF in a impatient industry) , the measure seems to be possible only a couple of years after their time.
DoF are always tasked with bringing in players - preferably on the cheap - who will be instant successes. The reality is that only a few signings will be worthwhile. And we know that even good players aren't necessarily the ones the manager wants! Don't see the point of a DoF
To my mind, a DOF should work closely with the manager. His job SHOULD be to identify suitable, or prospective talent in the areas that the coach/manager has identified as lacking. Once the targets have been identified and agreed upon, his job then SHOULD be to negotiate, persuade, etc, to get the best deal for his club. His job should NOT be to override the manager and make decisions as to what players to buy.
Or, in the case of the relationship between Comolli and Jol, he should not ignore the manager's requests to go into business for himself.
It's how the manager makes these decisions that worries me. They mostly seem to be blind prejudice based on a very odd view of the difference between players qualities that is indefensible in practice. I much prefer the model of the DoF designing the squad and the coach getting the best out of it. Just an example but imagine your coach wanted a wingback a few years back and the DoF signed Dirk Kuyt. There would be howls of derisive laughter. But he is actually very good in that role.
They Dared To Dream: How Rodgers' Liverpool Went So Close please log in to view this image http://www.amazon.co.uk/They-Dared-To-Dream-Liverpool-ebook/dp/B00LEG66SE/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
He writes for the official website as well but does his own thing too (www.tomkinstimes.com). He normally has some good stuff to say but wants you to pay to hear it, so I rarely bother. His most useful contribution is the Transfer Price Index which is a big project he does to compare past transfer players to what they would be worth in today's money, so almost calculating inflation in the football world. Ie he says Ferdinand's transfer to United would be equivalent to a £53million signing in today's money and shearer would be £45m http://tomkinstimes.com/debate/transfer-price-index-the-complete-guide/
I like the "I cried when I bought this" comment. I think we all did and our sides split at the same time.
"...the kop looks like a Carla Lane script,and she is one of the great scousers of our time. You can almost imagine Joey Boswell standing at the head of the table telling the family that "those who remember the past are destined to live through it again" or Lucien tending his rabbits in the LIver Birds and telling them that "success has many fathers". Those lads who sit in the Albert poring over 1001 great movie quotes to put on their ma's best bed sheet,should have their own tribute. After all,as Ma Boswell would almost certainly say "our faith is the weapon most feared by our enemies."
Just plain old "WTF !!??" . Any hope of ever getting HIAG to bin this article just went up in flames.
this brings "when is the DVD out?" to a whole new level. A whole book on a season where they won nothing?
"A whole book on a season where they won nothing?" Think of all the Nth edition up-sell possibilities though (Appendix A : Suarez sold etc) .
A bit off topic but used to love this series of books: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Survival-of-the-Fattest-v-6-Vol-6-Football-/301009093064?_trksid=p2054897.l4275 A collection of reviews by fans who ran their clubs Fanzine. They are a great look back if you can pick them up now and look back at fans hopes for the future, players they think will come good and praise for managers. Unfortunately for us the series coincided with the era that saw us employ Francis, Gross and Hoddle. Worth a read to remind yourselves it could be much, much worse..... Ask the Brentford, Brighton and Doncaster fans whose clubs were being strip-mined at the time and left to die.
