Arsenal are stepping up their search for a new sporting director after Edu’s surprise departure, with the Gunners already drawing up a list of possible replacements for the Brazilian
Arsenal are stepping up their search for a new sporting director after Edu’s surprise departure, with the Gunners already drawing up a list of possible replacements for the Brazilian Arsenal are stepping up their search for a new sporting director after Edu’s surprise departure, with the Gunners already drawing up a list of possible replacements for the Brazilian
Arsenal’s top target for their vacant sporting director post has revealed he is open to joining the Gunners.
The Premier League title challengers saw Edu resign last week to join Evangelos Marinakis’ stable of clubs as chief executive. It was a move that came out of the blue as Arsenal look to end their 20-year title drought.
Edu’s deputy Jason Ayto has stepped up to serve as interim sporting director while a recruitment process takes place. One of the names being heavily linked with the permanent job is Roberto Olabe.
Olabe has spent the past six years working as Real Sociedad’s director of football. But he will bring an end to his time in San Sebastian in the summer and is already on the search for a new job.
According to Noticias de Gipuzkoa, Arsenal are ‘very interested’ in bringing in Olabe. He is thought to be ‘very happy’ with the Gunners’ proposal and has previously had several dealings with them in the transfer market.
Olabe is seen as the architect of Sociedad’s recent period of success, which was capped by winning the Copa del Rey in 2021. The Spaniard has insisted his decision to leave Sociedad has not been influenced by his future, but did admit he would be open to any new role.
“The very structure of the decision is not based on the future. If in June 2024 we talk about June 2025 and we give ourselves a timing in which I give my commitment to continue working in a season that is not easy to manage,” he said via Sport Witness.
“I understood that it was important to continue working this season for and with the project. The timing of things right now is that I am excited and committed to finishing this season, for good things to continue happening in this club.
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“Afterwards I need to listen to other conversations, from other areas, learn about other projects, observe other things to possibly reconnect. I don’t know what it will be, I don’t have anything, I don’t have a date for anything.
“The dates for everything are the ones we have discussed. There has been nothing external that has influenced that timing. On a personal level, I do have the energy and the enthusiasm, but I am clear that the commitment we have to continue trying to make positive things happen between now and June is there.
“Once you make the decision, what I have done from June to October is focus on what was really important, which was what we had in hand more than my own decision, which will happen in time. That is why I say that I am not entirely comfortable talking about myself today.”
As well as Olabe, Arsenal chiefs are also considering Monaco sporting Thiago Scuro, current academy manager Per Mertesacker and Sparta Prague executive Tomas Rosicky as replacements for Edu.
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