Arsenal to AC Milan: could CEO Ivan Gazidis leave for Italy?

Arsenal will have a new manager next season for the first time in more than 20 years but could they soon need to appoint a new chief executive too?

When Arsene Wenger announced his departure in April, the Gunners had a busy time finding his replacement and making changes to the club’s managerial set-up.

Unai Emery was brought in as Wenger’s replacement while head of football relations Raul Sanllehi joined from Barcelona and former Borussia Dortmund chief scout Sven Mislintat was named as head of recruitment.

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A key player in the Arsenal restructure was CEO Ivan Gazidis, but today he is being linked with a move to AC Milan. Sky Sports News, citing information from Sky in Italy, tweeted that Gazidis is set to become Milan’s new executive director in September.

Gazidis has been with Arsenal since 2008 but Sky says that Milan, who have been recently taken over by American hedge fund Elliott Management, believe the Arsenal CEO “is the man they wish to come in”.

However, new head coach Emery believes Gazidis will stay at the north London club for “years to come”.

Emery, the former Sevilla and Paris Saint-Germain boss who was brought to the Emirates by Gazidis, told Football.London: “He is committed here for many years. I think he will continue here because he has big priorities here. His commitment with us, with Arsenal, is very big.”

Chairman issues statement

Meanwhile, Arsenal chairman Sir Chips Keswick has spoken about the Gazidis rumours.

The statement published by Sky Sports said: “We are aware of the speculation surrounding our chief executive Ivan Gazidis. We know he receives many offers from organisations inside and outside the game as he’s a hugely respected figure.

“He has never accepted any of these opportunities and has never spoken about them publicly. He has always been fully committed to taking Arsenal forward and is currently working hard in Singapore with our new head coach Unai Emery as we prepare for the new season.”