Arsenal are working hard. At the foot of the podium after 11 days, the Gunners are experiencing a relatively complicated start to the 2024-2025 season on the Premier League grounds. In addition to the purely sporting aspect, the residents of the Emirates Stadium will also have to resolve another hot issue: that of Edu’s successor, until now sporting director of the London team. Indeed, the man who established himself as the visionary of the club’s overhaul recently announced that he was leaving Arsenal. A big blow for the English board, which has therefore launched its recruitment process to find the rare pearl.
The Gunners multiply the avenues
With this in mind, we recently revealed to you that Arsenal particularly appreciated the profiles of Tomáš Rosický (44 years old) and Per Mertesacker (40 years old), two former members of the house. If the former German defender pleases the London management, discussions have already started with the former Czech international attacking midfielder (105 caps, 23 goals). But that’s not all. In search of the right profile, the Gunners are also interested in Thiago Scuro, currently with AS Monaco. Arriving on the Rock in 2023 to succeed Paul Mitchell, the 43-year-old Brazilian leader has long led the Red Bull project in football and seems to tick all the boxes.
According to the English press, Arsenal considers that Scuro’s philosophy and his ability to exchange and represent a project correspond perfectly to what the club expects to succeed Edu. A target deemed a priority which does not, however, prevent the club from exploring elsewhere. In recent hours, The Athletic specifies that the Gunners are only just beginning the recruitment process and that an external recruitment agency should soon be contacted to help identify suitable candidates. In the meantime, two new avenues are being discussed.
Two new tracks in La Liga and the Bundesliga
According to the British publication, Simon Rolfes – currently occupying the role of general director of sport at Bayer Leverkusen – is also coveted. The 26-cap former Germany international retired from professional football following the 2014-15 season, having amassed 377 appearances for Leverkusen in all competitions during his decade with the club. Qualified as “transfer guru”Rolfes, under contract until June 2028, joined the Bayer academy as head of youth and development in July 2018 before being promoted to general director of sports four years later. Finally, Real Sociedad director of football Roberto Olabe is also likely to emerge as a legitimate suitor to fill Edu’s vacant position.
After making the decision to leave the Basque club at the end of the season, the Spaniard – who has already worked with Mikel Arteta in the past – finds himself in this shortlist which only has shorts in its name . The Times also indicates that the London management could quickly begin discussions with Roberto Olabe. While waiting to find the perfect profile, Jason Ayto, deputy sporting director of Arsenal, was entrusted with the role of Edu on an interim basis. One thing is certain, Arsenal is working hard to find Edu’s successor – praised for his qualities after having notably convinced Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice to sign for the Londoners – and thus ensure the transition as best as possible.
