The Gunners have announced that Raul Sanllehi and Vinai Venkatesham will lead the Football Club following a decision by chief executive officer Ivan Gazidis to join Italy’s AC Milan.
Raul who was the head of football relations has been appointed as head of football, and Vinai, who was the chief commercial officer, now becomes the managing director of the Football club.
Raul joined Arsenal in February this year after 16 years at Barcelona where he was director of football, while Vinai arrived in 2010 from London 2012 and has overseen all the club’s commercial activities.
Raul, who will lead the Club’s football activities, said: “Although I joined Arsenal just months ago, I’ve felt embraced by this great club and part of its family from the first day. I will do everything possible to maintain our strong values which will be as fundamental to our future as they have been in our past. Vinai and I will need everyone’s help, to do everything right and secure the success everyone connected to Arsenal wants. I sincerely thank Arsenal’s board for their trust in us and thank Ivan for bringing me to this great club, and for consistently supporting me every day, in every way. It’s with overwhelming pride and utmost excitement that I face this new opportunity.”
Vinai, who will oversee all business operations, said: “From the day I joined Arsenal I have always considered it a privilege to serve this great football club, so it’s an honour to take up the position of managing director and lead the club alongside Raul. Together we will work tirelessly with the extraordinary staff we have at Arsenal to respect and enhance our unique history, heritage and values; with the overall objective to bring success to our millions of fans all around the world and make them proud of their club. I thank Stan and Josh Kroenke and the rest of the board for their trust in me, and Ivan for all the support he has given me since I joined the club in 2010.”
Ivan Gazidis will leave Arsenal Club by the end of October and becomes chief executive at AC Milan on December 1. This is after overseeing the Football Club’s new structure and appointment of the New Manager Unai Emery..