Arsenal's head of football Raul Sanllehi is leaving the club with managing director Vinai Venkatesham set to take over, the Premier League side announced on Saturday. Reports had suggested Sanllehi was being investigated in regard to Arsenal overpaying for Nicolas Pépé, a transfer fee that reached £72 million ($55M).
Sanllehi, who was formerly Barcelona's director of football, was initially appointed the club's head of football relations before taking on the role of head of football in 2018 following a restructure.
“We have no doubt that Vinai is the right person to take the club forward. He has shown outstanding leadership during the current crisis and is held in high regard internally and externally," Stan and Josh Kroenke said in a statement on behalf of owners, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment.
"We know everyone will rally round him so we can move forward successfully."
We are announcing today that head of football Raul Sanllehi is leaving the club and Vinai Venkatesham, our current managing director, will lead us going forward.
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 15, 2020
Venkatesham, who has been at the club since 2010, said there was "much work to do" to ensure Arsenal were competitive again.
"While this will not happen overnight, I believe we have many of the critical ingredients to do so. There are many positives to build on across the club," Venkatesham said.
Arsenal sparked a social media backlash this month when the club announced plans to lay off 55 staff less than a week after winning the FA Cup and qualifying for the Europa League.
"I'm proud and pleased with the contribution I've made at Arsenal over the past three years, and look forward to enjoying the club's future success. Arsenal is a true footballing institution," Sanllehi said in the statement.
Raul being investigated by the club pic.twitter.com/q8H3LkJU07
— Simpsons Arsenal (@SimpsonsArsenal) August 15, 2020
(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Alison Williams)
