Arsenal have announced that Head of Football Raul Sanllehi will be leaving with managing director Vinai Venkatesham taking on his role at the club.
It is not known what has prompted this surprise change in the Gunners’ hierarchy, but it appears to be amicable with Sanllehi releasing a statement, along with the club, to state he will continue to support the team from the sidelines:
“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.”
Unsurprisingly, supporters on Twitter were shocked by the announcement, with many struggling to understand what is going on inside the boardroom:
Wait what??
— Jamie Taylor (@homble) August 15, 2020
Wow!! More drama at the club…..
— Godfrey Isolio (@godfreyisolio) August 15, 2020
What the hell is this Arsenal board. Something VERY wrong is going on behind scenes ffs.
— Echo (@Echogecko1991) August 15, 2020
Is he going back to Barca?
— kyodash (@kyodash) August 15, 2020
This is a terrible decision
— Danny slater (@Dannysl12999782) August 15, 2020
Wasn’t he the guy we all were praising for bringing Tierney
Wtf is happening at this club ??
— Aniket Devle (@aniketdevle149) August 15, 2020
Does this mean we aren’t limited to the players with the same agents. Hope so.
— JaMmIe DoDgEr (@JaMmIeDoDgEr___) August 15, 2020
He could have been one of the 55 redundancies..? Since edu is here and all.
— Lyon (@doggieshaman) August 15, 2020
Honestly I dont know what this club doing but good for Entertainment
— Ambessa143 (@DinFarsa433) August 15, 2020
We are done without Don Raul
— bk (@justbriank) August 15, 2020
There is a lot of rumour and conjecture about why Sanllehi is leaving but his departure comes right in the middle of the transfer window, which is far from ideal.
With 55 staff also being made redundant, there are also concerns about finances and whether this has played a part in Sanllehi leaving, we may find out at a later date.
The Spaniard does mention that he is moving on to a “new challenge” so perhaps he does have another club lined up but we shall have to wait and see.