Arsenal’s acting sporting director Jason Ayto has growing internal support to take on the role permanently. The club’s ownership has said to be impressed with his work and is viewed as a genuine contender for the vacancy.(@SamiMokbel81_DM)

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5989219/2024/12/13/jason-ayto-profile-sporting-director/

no pay wall article: https://12ft.io/proxy

Mail, football london etc they are all running with story so I assume it will be official soon enough. So he was a scout here, then the chief scout then a Dwight like role for Arteta - Executive assistant of the manager. Now it looks like he will be sporting director

    HomeSteak The Guardian were pitching Rosicky as the front-runner earlier this week so feels like there's some way to go before it's all resolved.

      Don Pacifico has Rosicky any experience in a similar role? Seems to make more sense to promote Ayto.

        Qwiss been doing it at Sparta Prague for a while and credited with helping get them back to winning the Czech league and into the CL.

        2 months later

        Sicario2 - Tier 1 Andrea Berta aka the Godfather remember the name.

        Isn't he the guy that keeps signing Morata for Atletico? And fortunately for us, succeeded where we failed in bringing in Lemar for big bucks. With Joao Felix, at least it shows he brings in forward players, so that's something.

        Meets my criteria: highly experienced at the top level of the game, touch of class, and he doesn't look like he'd be overawed by Arteta's current influence at Arsenal.

          Qwiss Spot on.

          It's important we've got multiple strong, experienced and respectable characters in the decision-making process so there's adequate scrutiny and every fee and contract has its agreed rationale.

          Arteta should never be taking all the heat on our signings, not even if they're his picks.

            • Edited

            Burnwinter yup. And we also need to have a hierarchy in place that can work without Arteta. Next season could be pivotal, if we win a big trophy he could be poached, if we fall to pieces he made need to be replaced. The most probable situation is he stays but we can't be caught out if he doesn't.

              Exciting appointment. Has an eye for a striker that’s for sure

              Would love this appointment. Looks like he can hang in big negotiations while also having an eye for good deals and market opportunities. He also definitely knew how to work with Simeone to identify players who would fit his play style. Need to get him in soon so he can start working on this summer ASAP.

              Qwiss and a hierarchy under this fellow as well. Strong head of youth already in place. But who are the guys in charge of scouts, negotiations/contracting, asset management etc. they all need to be top top tier.

              Qwiss slaughter a cow at centre field. Maybe we finally get a 30 goal a season striker.