Arsenal are reportedly in advanced in talks over a potential agreement to see Roberto Olabe become the club’s new sporting director. It remains a position left vacant of a permanent figurehead since the decision by Edu Gaspar to resign which took many by surprise.
Jason Ayto, an assistant to Edu, has stepped into the role for the short term but there has been a clear indication from discussions with suggested candidates that Edu would indeed be replaced externally. Naturally, there has been a desire for an individual with a strong track record in the market to fill the void.
Edu was certainly very good at what he did, winning the best director award in 2023 and helping Mikel Arteta build a squad that has risen to the elite level again. In his last two years he also helped bring in considerable funds for players too.
Olabe has split the views of fans though as the potential replacement for Edu. For some, he was an unknown name as recently as the first links to the club while others perhaps more well-versed in Spanish football should be all too aware of his work helping Real Sociedad achieve the dream of ending a 30-plus trophy drought.
He also has his links to Arsenal manager Arteta having signed him as a player at the club in his much earlier days in coaching. Having that familiarity is something that managers and their colleagues off the field find invaluable and Olabe would certainly possess that.
For those sceptical, first think back to when Arsenal did appoint a figurehead who had experience at one of Europe’s most successful clubs and helped sign players like Neymar for the cause – former Barcelona director Raul Sanllehi of course. That did not work out in the Gunners’ favour whatsoever and the switch to Edu instead bore greater fruit.
In regards to Olabe himself, as was covered in our deep dive on the La Real director of sport, he has helped build a side and hold onto their top talent in the process. Shrewd signings at both ends of the age spectrum have seen Real Sociedad become a European regular and win the Copa del Rey.
He has made good fees for players that he brought in like Alexander Isak and Mikel Merino and the relationship with the former might indeed give Arsenal an edge should they pursue the now-Newcastle striker amid reported links to the Swede. He also has done well, as mentioned, at retaining talent like Mikel Oyarzabal and Martin Zubimendi despite considerable interest from teams in the elite bracket.
Granted his work is mostly specific to Spanish football and it would be a change to come to England and work at a club like Arsenal but it was new to Edu and we know the successes there. Olabe comes with a far greater wealth of experience in the role and the motivation to continue to progress Arsenal as a club overall.
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