CF Montreal names Corey Wray as sporting director, Saputo sons take on new roles

By The Canadian Press on November 21, 2024.

CF Montreal announced a restructuring of their front office on Thursday. Corey Wray, who was hired as a consultant on July 9, has been named the club's Director of Soccer. Wray is shown in a handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Columbus Crew SC MANDATORY CREDIT

MONTREAL – CF Montreal announced a restructuring of their front office on Thursday.

Corey Wray, who was hired as a consultant on July 9, has been named the club’s Director of Soccer. He’ll act as Montreal’s primary contact with other Major League Soccer teams and player agents.

Montreal also announced new roles for Luca and Simone Saputo, sons of team owner Joey Saputo.

Luca is the senior director of recruitment, serving as the primary liaison with Italian club Bologna FC, also owned by Joey Saputo. Simone was named the senior director of academy strategy and roster management. The club said the Saputos have worked these roles for a few months.

Raffaele Frassetti, Joey Saputo’s brother-in-law, was named Head of Scouting.

President and chief executive officer Gabriel Gervais will continue to oversee Montreal’s sporting activities.

“We want to build a competitive team season after season while also remaining true to our playing philosophy and our sporting project,” Gervais said in a statement. “Luca and Simone embody the pride and determination of their family that has developed soccer in Montreal for over 30 years. Furthermore, Corey’s comprehensive MLS experience represents an undeniable asset. Over the last few months, we have witnessed his professionalism, thoroughness and analytical sense.

“This structure has proven its efficiency during the last transfer window and in the last stretch of the season by delivering positive results and a playoff qualification.”

Montreal said the moves were made with an emphasis on analytics and partnering with Bologna FC.

“This sporting structure allows us to maximize our strategic vision,” Gervais said. “We want to be more rigorous in recruitment, establish clear processes and a structured approach, while focusing on analytics, the development of young Academy talent and the high-potential players within our squad.”

Montreal also announced changes to its coaching staff.

Assistant coach Laurent Ciman, goalkeeper coach Romuald Peiser, goalkeeper development coach Luca Bucci and fitness coach Barthélémy Delecroix will not return in 2025. The club said it has begun the process of hiring their replacements.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 21, 2024.