Brighton & Hove Albion are preparing to confirm Jason Ayto as their new sporting director following the departure of David Weir. The reshuffle in the club’s technical department comes just weeks into the Premier League season and shortly after the transfer window closed.
The decision underlines Brighton’s determination to refine their structure, with owner-chairman Tony Bloom and chief executive Paul Barber pushing forward a strategy known internally as the ‘2030 vision’.
Jason Ayto’s rise through Arsenal ranks
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Ayto, 39, has been identified as the ideal candidate to lead Brighton’s next phase. His reputation was forged during more than a decade at Arsenal, where he advanced from scout to chief scout, then assistant and interim sporting director.
His work was highly valued by Edu, Arsenal’s former technical director, who praised Ayto in _The Athletic_ last year: _“When I started to talk to Jason, I felt: ‘Wow, there is something special with this guy’. The way he behaves, the way he talks, the way he wants to help the club, the way he wants to progress in his career.”_
Ayto was central to Arsenal’s negotiations for Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber in 2023. [According to _The Athletic’s_ reporting](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6622658/2025/09/14/jason-ayto-brighton-david-weir/), _“Everything I asked the guy — helping me with contacts, presentations, research — he had the skills to do it. He knows a lot of people in football. He is really, really smart, able to find solutions.”_
Although he was considered a strong contender to land the sporting director post permanently at Arsenal, the club opted for Andrea Berta. He later interviewed for the equivalent role at Newcastle United, but the position went to Ross Wilson.
Brighton believe his profile — younger, analytically driven, and fluent in Portuguese — fits the modern demands of recruitment and strategy.
Why David Weir departs
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Weir’s exit ends a two-year spell as technical director. He initially joined Brighton in 2018 as loans manager and was promoted when Dan Ashworth departed for Newcastle United.
Respected across football, the 55-year-old former Rangers and Everton defender provided steady leadership but lacked the depth of experience Brighton now feel they require. His promotion to technical director came earlier than planned, and according to _The Athletic_, _“the succession plan was brought forward, leaving gaps in Weir’s experience in some aspects of the role.”_
Brighton are understood to have managed his exit sensitively, with Weir leaving without acrimony and expected to attract interest from other clubs.
Strategic vision towards 2030
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Ayto’s arrival will support Brighton’s longer-term ambitions. The ‘2030 vision’ seeks to establish the men’s team as a consistent top-10 Premier League side while challenging for Europe on a regular basis. The women’s side are targeting a top-four finish in the WSL, supported by plans for a purpose-built stadium near the Amex.
In line with this, the club have bolstered infrastructure with senior hires such as Mark Loch, the former British Airways executive who joined in April as chief technology officer. Barber’s own contract extension until 2030 underscores the club’s emphasis on stability and continuity.
Timing of the announcement
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Brighton deliberately waited until after the summer window closed before making changes in the boardroom. This ensured stability during the crucial recruitment period, while allowing space to prepare for Ayto’s integration.
Ayto, who views Brighton as the ideal next step in his career, is expected to work closely with head coach Fabian Hurzeler. The partnership represents a bold, youthful approach to leadership at a club determined to compete against financially stronger rivals through innovation and forward planning.