Mikel Arteta has made his choice for the vacant sporting director role.
The role has remained without a permanent successor for just over a month now, with Arsenal not being in a hurry to appoint anybody yet. This relaxed approach in the search is in spite of the fact that the January transfer window looms large, but it is rather expected this window has already been deemed a reactive one for the recruitment team. This means that we can certainly afford to take our time in bringing in the right man for the job in time to play a major role next summer.
A lot of names have been pushed forward as potential replacements for Edu, from links to top bosses abroad such as Luis Campos and Thiago Scuro to more recent links to someone closer to home (Dan Ashworth), Arsenal aren’t really short of options. The latter has been heavily linked with a move to join us recently after his shock dismissal as Man United’s sporting director a few days ago. Richard Garlick is said to be keen on reuniting with a man he’s worked closely with before, however according to latest reports, Mikel Arteta prefers a different candidate for the role.
The Daily Mail reports that the Spaniard prefers his compatriot, Roberto Olabe as the man to permanently take over the reins from Edu Gasper.
The Spanish chief has been a constant name being linked for the role over the past month with some reports even going as far as saying a deal was in advanced stages for him. This revelation came as no surprise considering Mikel Arteta’s ties with his former side. Roberto Olabe was responsible for bringing a young Arteta to Real Sociedad in 2004 when he was the manager. It is clear that they have still kept a good relationship after all this years, hence the reason why he has made him his top choice.
Regardless of his decision however, the club won’t be in a hurry to bring someone in just yet, all we can hope for is that the right choice is made at the end of the day!
BENJAMIN KENNETH.
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
Whoever Arteta wants, Garlic will have the final say, and I’d put my money on Ashworth who might be just a little too connected/powerful for Mikel.
Club is falling into the same Wenger trap it set itself into previously. Making a manager king and having every aspect of the club revolve around his wishes. There’s a presumption Arteta will deliver eventually and I’m not sure why. Arteta’s input matters but I hope he isn’t Choosing the replacement either. Having a sporting director not be so aligned with Mikel honestly might be a good thing for the club to think about.
RSH,
Well put, I think that was part of the problem for Wenger in the end.
He did practically everything at the club, and it caught up with him.
He took his eye off the ball so to speak, and the other managers overtook him. Something which he did not recover from.
Hopefully Mikel gets his wish for the man that replaces Edu. Can’t have two high profile people working against eachother if we want the club to succeed.
Arteta to choose our next sporting director – that would be a total disaster for the Club. Wouldn’t even trust him to order fish and chips from the pub. Sorry.
If Arteta gets to choose, it will be a “yes man.”
I would rather have someone who may see things differently, have different ideas at times, and a long term vision for the club.
Not necessarily best for Arteta, but best for the club. Otherwise we will repeat the mistake we made with Wenger; an all powerful Manager whose divided attention is a negative for his primary job as a coach/Manager.
At least Wenger had a CV of titles and trophies, even changed the PL with his philosophy and policies of player diet and fitness. What has Arteta done?
Arteta would require seventeen more years at Arsenal.
Then can we adequately evaluate what he has done in comparison to Wenger.
😉
Mikel Arteta.makes up his mind to hire someone to an office greater than his?
Elucidate!
Who is higher placed
Coach or Sporting Director.
Arteta’s manager (not coach), but still beneath the Sporting Director, so can probably just give an opinion/suggestion to Richard Garlic.