Arsenal has a few hours ago, named Raul and Vinai as the replacements for AC Milan bound and now former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ivan Gazidis who stepped down earlier today.
The English Premier League club, Arsenal named Raul as the head of football, and Vinai, currently the Chief commercial officer, becomes managing director.
According to the message released on the club’s website Arsenal.com, club owner Josh Kroenke, deputy chairman of Arsenal’s majority owner Kroenke Sports and Entertainment UK, put out a statement on Gazadis leaving the club for AC Miland and the new recruits. He 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 on his part, 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.”
According to the statement on the club’s website, Mr. Raul joined the club in February after 16 years at Barcelona where he was director of football. While Vinai on the other hand, arrived Arsenal in 2010 from London 2012 and has overseen all the commercial activities.
Raul, who will lead Arsenal’s football activities, while speaking on his new role, said:
“Although I joined Arsenal just months ago, I’ve felt embraced by this great club and part of its family from the first day. I will do everything possible to maintain our strong values which will be as fundamental to our future as they have been in our past. Vinai and I will need everyone’s help, to do everything right and secure the success everyone connected to Arsenal wants. I sincerely thank Arsenal’s board for their trust in us and thank Ivan for bringing me to this great club, and for consistently supporting me every day, in every way. It’s with overwhelming pride and utmost excitement that I face this new opportunity.” He said.
Vinai, who will oversee all business operations, said:
“From the day I joined Arsenal I have always considered it a privilege to serve this great football club, so it’s an honour to take up the position of managing director and lead the club alongside Raul. Together we will work tirelessly with the extraordinary staff we have at Arsenal to respect and enhance our unique history, heritage and values; with the overall objective to bring success to our millions of fans all around the world and make them proud of their club. I thank Stan and Josh Kroenke and the rest of the board for their trust in me, and Ivan for all the support he has given me since I joined the club in 2010.”
Ivan who had earlier announced he was stepping down, will leave by the end of October and becomes chief executive at AC Milan on December 1 2018.
source: Arsenal.com