Head of football Raul Sanllehi is to leave Arsenal with immediate effect, the club confirmed on Saturday afternoon [August 15].
Vinai Venkatesham, the Gunners current managing director, will take the lead following the decision.
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.
"I’m proud and pleased with the contribution I’ve made at Arsenal over the past three years, and look forward to enjoying the club’s future success. Arsenal is a true footballing institution," he told Arsenal's official website.
"I am proud to have been part of its history and I thank Stan and Josh Kroenke for this opportunity. Working with Vinai, we have built a top team for the future. Mikel has made an extremely positive impact since his arrival and has formed a strong team with our technical director, Edu.
"The academy is in very safe hands with Per, and Huss Fahmy is a talented and highly-capable leader of our football operations. Personally, I now look forward to taking some time off and spending time with family and friends before setting to work on a new challenge and cheering Arsenal on to great things."
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.
"While football faces uncertainties ahead as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, I am confident Arsenal will emerge strongly and look forward with confidence."
A statement on behalf of the club's owners, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, was also released, with Stan and Josh Kroenke saying:
"Raul has made a big contribution during his time with us and will always be part of the Arsenal family. 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."
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