Arsenal confirm Raul Sanllehi exit with managing director Vinai Venkatesham set to take club forward

Arsenal exit: Head of football Raul Sanllehi has been at Emirates Stadium since 2018
Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Arsenal’s head of football Raul Sanllehi is to leave the club.

The Spaniard - who previously served as Barcelona's director of football - arrived at the Emirates in 2018, initially in the role of head of football relations, before being promoted later the same year, when CEO Ivan Gazidis’ departure prompted a restructuring.

In a statement, the club also announced that current managing director Vinai Venkatesham is to "lead the club going forward".

Sanllehi said: “I’m proud and pleased with the contribution I’ve made at Arsenal over the past three years, and look forward to enjoying the club’s future success.

"Arsenal is a true footballing institution. I am proud to have been part of its history and I thank Stan and Josh Kroenke for this opportunity. Working with Vinai, we have built a top team for the future.

"(Manager) Mikel [Arteta] has made an extremely positive impact since his arrival and has formed a strong team with our technical director, Edu. The academy is in very safe hands with Per [Mertesacker], and Huss Fahmy is a talented and highly-capable leader of our football operations.

"Personally, I now look forward to taking some time off and spending time with family and friends before setting to work on a new challenge and cheering Arsenal on to great things.”

Sources at Arsenal insist the club and Sanllehi parted on amicable terms, and his departure is not a reflection of his work but rather down to a restructuring.

The club feel the need to have a single voice leading them at this time and as such Venkatesham will take them forward.

He has a strong business and financial background, which will be important given the monetary strains placed on Arsenal and other clubs by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Managing director Vinai Venkatesham will be tasked with leading Arsenal forward
Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Venkatesham, however, will not be involved in football decisions as that will be the remit of Arteta and Edu.

The pair will work in tandem to identify targets and Fahmy, Arsenal's contract expert, will then work to get deals over the line.

Sanllehi's departure is also understood not to be related to his relationship with agents, with his connection to Kia Joorabchian one that has come under scrutiny.

Venkatesham has been at the club since 2010, and became managing director following Gazidis’ departure.

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“I am thankful to Stan, Josh and the rest of the Arsenal Board for their trust in me,” he said. “I will miss working closely with my colleague and friend Raul, but I am looking forward to this new challenge.

“There is much work to do to return Arsenal to the top of the game where we belong, which is what our fans rightly demand. While this will not happen overnight, I believe we have many of the critical ingredients to do so. There are many positives to build on across the club.

“While football faces uncertainties ahead as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, I am confident Arsenal will emerge strongly and look forward with confidence."

However, football decisions will fall under the remit of manager Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu
Arsenal FC via Getty Images

A statement from Arsenal's owners Kroenke Sports and Entertainment (KSE) added: “Raul has made a big contribution during his time with us and will always be part of the Arsenal family. 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.”

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