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Damien Comolli: legacy at the Lane?

Tottenham Hotspur

by eyes_on_the_crowd (U13109947) 04 September 2008

There has been much reported in the press today about Damien Comolli and his alleged failings as Sporting Director of Tottenham Hotspur. During his three year tenure, some 27 players have joined the ranks at White Hart Lane, some for the better of the club, some to the detriment.

Perhaps the biggest accusation 'levied' against Comolli is his failure to land appropriate players in the positions identified by the club manager. With Jol, Comolli notoriously failed to uncover a left- sided midfielder, leading to much acrimony; whilst it is highly unlikely current boss Juande Ramos can be pleased with the striking options at his disposal post- transfer deadline day.

Coupled with these accusation is the disappointment of the players Comolli has brought in. The examples of Younes Kaboul, Ricardo Rocha, KPB and Adel Taarabt immediately spring to mind: individuals who have either left the club for a loss in transfer value or found themselves maligned to the reserves. Further questions have to be asked about the exorbatent rates payed out for Messers Bent and Zokora: �22.5 million on players who have yet to justify their price tag.

However, it would be unfair to deny that the Comolli period has witnessed some very astute signings. We have seen examples of players brought in who have performed well for the club and moved on for an increase in transfer value (Berbatov, Malbranque, Chimbonda), established figures at the club (Bale, Woodgate, Hutton) and those offering much potential (dos Santos, Bostock, Modric, Gomes, Bentley, Pavlyuchenko and Corluka).

Whilst people may attribute these signings to other individual's at the club, Comolli's role ensures that he must have been instrumental at some stage in the signings.

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If Comolli were to be sent packing as of today, what would his legacy be?
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One of gross inability to unearth the talent that was required of his position, or a mixed picture: with some decent findings tarnished by a the failures?

Or could the problem be more inherent within the structure of management at WHL? Is it a flawed notion to expect a Manager and a Sporting Director to harmoniously work side by side, without one man's vision conflicting with the others?

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comment by Ralph Coates' Comb-over (U8387433)

posted Sep 5, 2008

Just read the whole article which, to be fair, is quite good especially considering it's from the sandal wearing, lentil eating hacks at the Guardian.

Paints a fairly dim view of Levy on the Carrick dealings but, the club is financially stable so Levy's doing some things right. Also, I'd like to think he learnt from the experience.

I quite like the idea of a SD but, as I think someone else said, the SD should report to the Manager.

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comment by eyes_on_the_crowd (U13109947)

posted Sep 5, 2008

What paper do you normally read Comb-over? Am I to assume Richard Littlejohn has a regular collumn in it?

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comment by Ralph Coates' Comb-over (U8387433)

posted Sep 5, 2008

The Times old boy

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comment by ozziesdream (U8923698)

posted Sep 5, 2008

'The Times old boy'
Yeah I might of guessed you were a Murdoch man.

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comment by Jason Dozells Acne Scars (U1900911)

posted Sep 5, 2008

Nowt wrong with the times chaps!

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comment by ozziesdream (U8923698)

posted Sep 5, 2008

Absolutely not. As long as you remember it's practically the same paper as the Sun, The Star, and the NOTW.

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comment by eyes_on_the_crowd (U13109947)

posted Sep 5, 2008

I only read the Mail. That's the only place you'll find the truth.

(Add a free Spandau Ballet CD tomorrow.)

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comment by CC (U5194146)

posted Sep 5, 2008

To Vincent Samways

The Club has bought a lot of property around the Ground especially beyond Paxton Road ie the Garage near the corner and The Wingate Trading Estate. Obviously this is their grand master plan.

Personally, in this day and age, one place I wouldn't be thinking of building a Football Ground, is Tottenham High Road. I think the Board are getting this wrong.

Surely we should be thinking of a green field site close to the M 25, the A12 or North Circular Road with plenty of car parking and good bus and rail connections.

A further possibility should be the Olympic Stadium, ready in 2012.

This is 2008 not 1908 when White Hart Lane was first built.

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comment by CC (U5194146)

posted Sep 5, 2008

To Bored with the Board

Your whole idea of how the DOF should work is, in principle sound, as long as you have the right one to start with.

The trouble is, the Manager gets sacked because results aren't good enough and the new bloke realising this wants to change everything round otherwise he's going to be in the same boat as his predecessor.

So, whilst in theory it's a good idea, in practice it doesn't seem to work.

Look how little continuity there has been since Jol left.

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comment by Toke2007 (U10948250)

posted Sep 5, 2008

Not convinced about Comolli. Too many poor signings IMO. He needs to fall on his sword and go.

I think he is on borrowed time.

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