Arsenal managing director Vinai Venkatesham will replace Raul Sanllehi as the team’s head of football, the Premier League club announced Saturday.
It’s understood that manager Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu will assume footballing and recruitment responsibilities at the club, according to the Press Association.
The announcement is believed to be linked to the team’s efforts to streamline and improve operations away from the pitch.
Sanllehi arrived at Arsenal from Barcelona in 2018, and he was initially the club’s head of football relations before being promoted to the head of football position.
“Raul has made a big contribution during his time with us and will always be part of the Arsenal family,” Arsenal owners Stan and Josh Kroenke said in a statement. “We thank him for all his hard work and expertise and wish him every future success.
“We have no doubt that Vinai is the right person to take the club forward. He has shown outstanding leadership during the current crisis and is held in high regard internally and externally. We know everyone will rally round him so we can move forward successfully.”
The overhaul of Arsenal’s off-field structure comes after the club finished eighth in the Premier League. The Gunners only managed to secure a spot in the Europa League by beating Chelsea to win the FA Cup.
Additionally, it was revealed on Friday that Arsenal are reportedly investigating whether they overpaid for club-record signing Nicolas Pepe last summer. The review comes just days after the team gutted its recruitment department, with Arsenal officials examining scouting reports and the negotiating process that led to the £72-million signing.
