Arsenal are claimed to have agreed a deal with Marc Overmars to join the club, speculated to be as Director of Football.
Arsene Wenger has previously refused to agree to have a Director of Football brought into the club, with the idea that the role would diminish his control of the squad, while Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis is also believed to currently cover such roles that would usually be a part of the new role.
Marc Overmars is now believed to be set to take up the role from the summer, having agreed to leave Ajax at the end of the season. and is said to be returning to North-London to join up with us.
His role remains unconfirmed, but looks as if he will be coming in as a Director of Football, which could be due to the likelihood that Arsene Wenger is set to leave in the coming years.
The French boss signed a new two-year contract at the end of last season, and that certainly appears to be the last of his long-running career as Gunners boss.
Overmars could of course be joining in another role, and following his comments previously about not being excited about the role at Arsenal, maybe he has agreed to join in another capacity.
Overmars will be joined by fellow former Gunner Per Mertesacker, who is retiring from playing at the end of the season in order to take on a role within the academy, while Steve Bould and Jens Lehmann are also a part of the backroom set-up also.
These additions to the backroom will likely see Arsene Wenger’s legacy live on beyond his time as manager, although there will no doubt be a huge cloud of uncertainty surrounding the club once he does finally step down.
Would Overmars arrival as Director of Football mean that Wenger would refuse further contract talks? Is his arrival preparation for a time beyond Wenger?
Pat J