Arsenal - Andrea Berta
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Arsenal head of recruitment, James Ellis, is set to be promoted to the role of technical director as part of the club’s ongoing backroom overhaul, according to a report by James McNicholas ofThe Athletic.
The move is a key component of the Gunners’ restructuring under new sporting director Andrea Berta, who succeeded Edu Gaspar in March 2025. Ellis, who joined Arsenal from Fulham in 2021, will now assume greater responsibilities, working closely with Berta to shape Arsenal’s recruitment strategy and long-term squad development.
The 45-year-old has played a crucial role in Arsenal’s recent transfer success. Initially appointed as a first-team scout, Ellis was promoted to head of recruitment in 2023 and has been instrumental in securing major signings such as Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Jorginho, Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and David Raya. His strategy of targeting proven Premier League talent has been credited with lowering risk and contributing significantly to Arsenal’s recent resurgence.
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Ellis’ growing influence and track record had attracted interest from other clubs, making his promotion a strategic decision to secure his future at the Emirates. The appointment also comes following the departure of Jason Ayto, who served as interim sporting director after Edu’s exit in late 2024.
Arsenal had previously held talks with former Juventus and Granada executive Matteo Tognozzi for a senior role, but the discussions did not materialise into an appointment, clearing the path for Ellis to step up.
In his new position, Ellis will operate across Arsenal’s men’s, women’s, and academy teams. He will also expand his involvement with the club’s “Football Intelligence” department, introduced under Edu in 2020 to centralise recruitment and performance analysis.
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Berta, who arrived from Atlético Madrid with a reputation for building competitive squads on tight budgets, is said to value Ellis’ deep understanding of the Premier League market. Sources within the club describe Ellis as a “straight talker” who is not afraid to challenge senior figures, an approach that has earned him considerable respect within Arsenal’s hierarchy.
The announcement comes at a critical time as Arsenal gear up for the 2025/26 season. The club will host Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal in the Emirates Cup in early August, providing a final test before their Premier League opener against Manchester United.
Off the pitch, Arsenal are juggling key transfer situations involving Gabriel Martinelli, who is attracting interest from Saudi giants Al-Nassr and 18-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, whose contract talks remain unresolved. The promotion of Ellis signals the club’s commitment to continuity, strategic planning, and maintaining a strong recruitment identity in what promises to be a pivotal summer.
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