Arsenal’s search for a successor to their departing sporting director, Edu, is intensifying, with multiple candidates emerging as potential options.
Among the names most prominently linked to the vacancy, Real Sociedad’s Roberto Olabe stands out as the current frontrunner.
Edu, who is currently on gardening leave, will formally leave Arsenal at the end of his six-month notice period, paving the way for a new challenge with a global multi-club structure, potentially involving Evangelos Marinakis’ network of clubs, including Nottingham Forest. His departure has left Arsenal needing to find a suitable replacement, and the club is moving quickly to assess potential candidates.
Roberto Olabe, Real Sociedad’s director of football, has recently declared his intention to leave his role at the end of the 2024/25 season, giving Arsenal a possible opening. Olabe is highly respected within European football circles, having overseen Real Sociedad’s successful run in European competitions over the last five seasons. Under his stewardship, Real Sociedad have consistently been among the top contenders in La Liga, known for their astute recruitment, including the acquisitions of Alexander Isak, David Silva, and Arsenal’s own Martin Ødegaard during his loan spell from Real Madrid.
Olabe has significant ties to Arsenal’s current head coach, Mikel Arteta, having previously signed him for Real Sociedad during his playing days. The existing rapport between Olabe and Arteta, alongside Olabe’s proven track record in player recruitment and squad management, makes him an attractive candidate for the Gunners. Arsenal, however, have not yet made any formal approach.
Aside from Olabe, Bayer Leverkusen’s managing director of sport, Simon Rolfes, has also been identified as a potential candidate. Rolfes, 42, played a pivotal role in Bayer Leverkusen’s recent success, where under his management, the club secured their first-ever Bundesliga title last season, breaking Bayern Munich’s dominance. Arsenal are believed to be impressed by his record and consider him a viable option to succeed Edu.
Former Arsenal players Tomáš Rosický and Per Mertesacker are also on the shortlist.
Rosický, currently serving as Sparta Prague’s sporting director, has held discussions with Arsenal about the position. Rosický has been in charge of sporting operations at Sparta since 2018, helping the club to rebuild and compete at a higher level. His deep connection with Arsenal from his playing days, when he made over 240 appearances, is another factor that makes him a compelling choice.
Per Mertesacker, meanwhile, remains a respected figure within Arsenal’s current structure, playing a critical role as the head of the academy. His dedication to developing young talent has been instrumental in bringing through some of the club’s promising stars. While Mertesacker’s experience makes him a candidate for the role, it is understood that Arsenal may prefer to keep him focused on the academy, given the progress made under his leadership.
West Ham United‘s technical director Tim Steidten has also emerged as a candidate.
Steidten joined West Ham in July 2023 and has since overseen the club’s recruitment strategy, working closely with sporting director Mark Noble. Despite significant spending in the recent transfer windows, West Ham’s form has been inconsistent, which may weigh against his candidacy. Nonetheless, his experience at Bayer Leverkusen before moving to West Ham could prove valuable to Arsenal, given his familiarity with operating under financial constraints similar to those faced by the Gunners.
In the interim, assistant sporting director Jason Ayto has been handed expanded responsibilities to help manage the transition period following Edu’s departure. Ayto is highly regarded within the Arsenal hierarchy for his work alongside Edu, and his role is expected to grow while the club evaluates its long-term plans. Co-chairman Josh Kroenke, Tim Lewis, and Richard Garlick are overseeing the recruitment process, working closely with Arteta to ensure the best possible appointment is made.
Mikel Arteta has publicly acknowledged the sudden nature of Edu’s departure and emphasised the importance of continuity at the club. “Everything happened very quickly,” Arteta said. “We both had this special chemistry and really enjoyed working together. He has an amazing opportunity now, and we have to respect that. We will continue to push forward together, even during this transition.”
Arsenal are mindful that whoever they appoint must be capable of continuing the upward trajectory established under Edu’s stewardship, working collaboratively with Arteta and ensuring the club remains competitive domestically and in Europe.
The search is ongoing, with Olabe appearing to lead the pack, but no final decision has been made as of yet. For now, the club will hope that Ayto can help maintain stability until Edu’s successor is officially in place.
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