Arsenal explain why Andrea Berta beat ex-Gunner Tomas Rosicky & Co to Sporting Director role

Arsenal recently appointed former Atletico Madrid sporting director Andrea Berta as Edu Gaspar's replacement.

Arsenal co-chair Josh Kroenke has shed light on why Andrea Berta emerged as the club’s top choice for the sporting director role, beating out former Gunner Tomas Rosicky and other high-profile candidates.

 The Italian executive, renowned for his success at Atletico Madrid, was officially confirmed as Edu’s successor on Sunday.

Edu had earned widespread praise for his transformative work at Arsenal before his unexpected departure earlier in the season.

According to The Athletic,  The club then embarked on a meticulous recruitment process, working with a specialist agency to identify and evaluate potential successors.

 Several high-profile names, including Real Sociedad’s Roberto Olabe and former Arsenal midfielder Rosicky, were considered, but it was Berta’s extensive experience and recruitment acumen that won over the decision-makers.

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“Anyone who knows football knows Andrea is an impressive figure,” Kroenke stated in a club statement. “He has vast knowledge of the game, a great track record, a strong network, and an insatiable desire to build winning teams.”

Berta’s proven ability to identify and secure top talent played a key role in Arsenal’s decision. During his 12-year tenure at Atletico Madrid, he was instrumental in assembling squads that consistently competed at the highest level, even signing a future Ballon d’Or winner in Rodri for just £16.5m. 

Arsenal, eager to refine their squad further rather than undergo another major overhaul, saw Berta as the ideal candidate to oversee the club’s next phase of development.

While Rosicky had a rich history with Arsenal and had built a promising reputation in football administration, his relative inexperience at the top level worked against him.

 Olabe, another strong contender, ultimately ruled himself out due to his commitment to Real Sociedad until the summer, making his appointment unfeasible given Arsenal’s urgency to fill the role before the transfer window.

Another highly regarded name in the mix was Dan Ashworth, who had prior experience working with Arsenal’s director of football operations, Richard Garlick.

 However, Ashworth chose to withdraw from the race to pursue other opportunities. Thiago Scuro, who had recently been promoted from sporting director to chief executive at Monaco, was also among the finalists.

Ultimately, the decision came down to continuity versus change. Arsenal considered promoting interim director Jason Ayto, who had played a key role in stabilizing operations post-Edu, but opted for Berta’s vast experience and European credibility instead. 

Arteta himself had significant influence in the selection process and reportedly backed Berta’s appointment.

However, Berta’s arrival created a delicate situation, as Ayto remained in his role while news of the Italian’s agreement with Arsenal leaked. 

Despite this, Arsenal hope to retain Ayto within the club’s structure given his contributions and growing reputation, though outside interest in him remains a factor.

With Berta now in place, Arsenal believe they have secured a sporting director with the knowledge, connections, and pedigree to elevate the club’s ambitions. 

His presence is expected to provide the Gunners with added credibility in the transfer market, further reinforcing their pursuit of Premier League and European glory.