Sven Mislintat, who earned the nickname “Diamond Eye” for his ability to unearth hidden gems during his time at Borussia Dortmund, joined Arsenal in 2017 with the hope of bringing similar success to the North London club.
However, his tenure at Arsenal was short-lived, and his career trajectory since then has been marked by both successes and significant controversies.
After leaving Arsenal, Mislintat quickly found a new challenge as Sporting Director at VfB Stuttgart. His time in Germany was largely seen as a success, particularly in the context of Stuttgart’s rise back to the Bundesliga.
Mislintat played a crucial role in reshaping the squad, focusing on young, promising talent, and helping the club secure promotion to the top flight in 2020. Under his guidance, Stuttgart managed to stabilise in the Bundesliga, with several of his signings making notable impacts.
Mislintat’s ability to identify and recruit emerging talents, such as Silas Wamangituka and Borna Sosa, reinforced his reputation as a sharp-eyed scout. His work at Stuttgart was often praised, and he was seen as a key figure in the club’s resurgence.
This period was perhaps the high point of his post-Arsenal career, demonstrating his ability to build a competitive team with limited resources.
In 2023, Mislintat took on a new role as the Sporting Director of Ajax, one of the most prestigious clubs in European football. However, his tenure in Amsterdam was fraught with controversy, leading to his departure just months after his appointment.
One of the most serious allegations against Mislintat at Ajax was the accusation of conflicts of interest. Reports emerged that Mislintat had pushed for the club to sign players represented by agents with whom he had close personal or professional ties.
A specific example includes the signing of Anton Gaaei, a player who was reportedly connected to an agency with which Mislintat had prior dealings. This raised concerns that Mislintat’s recruitment decisions might have been influenced by personal relationships rather than what was best for Ajax.
These allegations led to significant internal unrest, with questions being raised about the transparency and integrity of Mislintat’s operations. The perceived nepotism eroded trust within the club and among supporters, who were concerned that Ajax’s traditional focus on developing homegrown talent was being compromised.
Mislintat was also accused of overpaying for certain signings, leading to doubts about his financial prudence. One notable example was the acquisition of former Arsenal youngster Chuba Akpom (€12.3m), a player signed for a fee that many within the club and media believed was inflated, especially given his track record.
Critics argued that the money spent on Akpom could have been better allocated, particularly in a club known for its shrewd business dealings and reliance on academy graduates.
Mislintat’s tenure at Ajax was further complicated by reported clashes with the club’s management and staff. His management style was described as abrasive, and there were numerous reports of poor communication between him and other key figures within the club. This internal discord only worsened as the controversies surrounding his transfer dealings came to light.
His relationship with the Ajax hierarchy deteriorated rapidly, culminating in his dismissal in August 2023. His exit was a major story in Dutch football, with Ajax seeking to distance itself from the controversies that had unfolded under his watch.
At the start of May, Mislintat returned to Dortmund as ‘squad planner’.
Since leaving Arsenal, Mislintat’s career has thus been a mixed bag. On one hand, his success at Stuttgart demonstrated his continued ability to spot and nurture young talent, reaffirming his reputation as one of Europe’s top scouts.
However, his turbulent time at Ajax has cast a shadow over his achievements, raising questions about his decision-making and management style at the highest levels of the sport.
Mislintat’s departure from Ajax marked a significant setback in a career that had previously been defined by success and innovation. The controversies that led to his dismissal have undoubtedly impacted his reputation, particularly in the eyes of those who expected him to replicate his earlier successes at Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal.
As Mislintat looks to the future, the challenges he faces are considerable. Rebuilding his reputation after the Ajax episode will not be easy, but his track record at Stuttgart shows that he still has much to offer in the world of football.
What is clear is that Sven Mislintat’s journey since leaving Arsenal has been far from straightforward and, ultimately, he has ended up back where it all began trying to rebuild the reputation he first left Dortmund with.
