Arsenal have confirmed chief executive Ivan Gazidis has left the club to join AC Milan. Raul Sannlehi will take the charge as the new head of football while Vinai Venkatesham will be the new managing director.
Gazidis has been managing the post for nearly ten years and has revamped the club’s infrastructure to make the North London side more financially viable. Speculations regarding his departure had been hovering around as Milan were very adamant in bringing the man who had been at the helm of the Europian giants.
The decision to bring Unai Emery as Arsene Wenger’s successor was his brainchild and it remains to be seen how Emery copes up with the challenge. The 54 year old has been promised a wage hike of £1m and is also entitled to have a stake in the club.
Josh Kroenke, deputy chairman of Arsenal’s majority owner Kroenke Sports and Entertainment UK said, “It has been a pleasure working with Ivan. We will miss the wisdom, insight, and energy he brought to our club on a daily basis over the past decade. We are confident we have outstanding people in Raul and Vinai, and we look forward to working with them and coach Unai Emery to continue to move the club forward on  and off the pitch.”
Club chairman Sir Chips Keswick said: “Ivan has led Arsenal with skill and dedication and leaves us in a strong position. The club has been transformed and he has recruited talented people, such as Raul, Vinai and of course Unai Emery, who will take us to future success.”
