Sanllehi Leaves Arsenal Club

Arsenal head of football Raul Sanllehi has left the club and has been replaced by Vinai Venkatesham. Venkatesham moves from his previous role as managing director to become head of football. “Raul has made a big contribution during his time with us and will always be part of the Arsenal family,” read a statement from Stan and Josh Kroenke on the club’s website. “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.” Sanllehi joined the club in November 2017 after a 14-year spell at Barcelona and has been a key figure in north London ever since, alongisde Ventaketasham and technical director, Edu Gaspar. Following the confirmation of his departure he 53-year-old, insisted he was proud of the work he’s done with the club and is believes Arsenal are in good hands to push forward.

Venkatesham, who has been with the club since 2010, also spoke following the confirmation that he will be taking the lead at Arsenal. “I am thankful to Stan, Josh and the rest of the Arsenal Board for their trust in me. I will miss working closely with my colleague and friend Raul, but I am looking forward to this new challenge,” he said. “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.