Arsenal’s assistant sporting director set to be handed new role by Josh Kroenke after Edu’s exit

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Edu Gaspar leaving Arsenal has been the biggest news of the week.

The Brazilian had been one of the most important people at the Emirates for over five years. He started the current project with Mikel Arteta and that has been working really well.

However, on Monday, Edu decided to resign from his role as Arsenal’s sporting director, and that came as a real shock to all the fans.

Edu is gone now, and all eyes are on who Arsenal will appoint as his successor in the coming weeks.

Arsenal’s assistant sporting director set for ‘wider role’

Edu had been the face of Arsenal when it came to transfers.

A sporting director is responsible for everything that happens at the club – from player contracts to new signings and sales. Edu did all of that in his five years at the helm.

However, the Brazilian was not alone – he had a solid team to assist him.

Edu’s right-hand man was Jason Ayto, who is the assistant sporting director at Arsenal. He has held that role since April 2023.

Now, The Telegraph reveal that Ayto is ‘set for a wider role’ while the decision-makers at the club, Josh Kroenke, Tim Lewis and Richard Garlick, decide on Edu’s successor.

As for Edu, he is set to take up a big role under Evangelos Marinakis, where he will lead the Greek businessman’s portfolio of clubs that currently include Olympiacos, Nottingham Forest and Rio Ave.

As things stand, Ayto will not follow Edu out of the door at Arsenal.

READ MORE: Josh Kroenke’s vow to Arsenal fans following Edu Gaspar exit will be undermined by one major factor

Who is Jason Ayto and when did he join Arsenal?

Ayto is not a popular name like Edu – we’re sure many fans didn’t even know that Arsenal had an assistant sporting director.

However, the 39-year-old was popularly known as Edu’s right-hand man at the club, and he was heavily involved behind the scenes.

Ayto first joined Arsenal all the way back in 2014 as a scout. He was then promoted to become the club’s recruitment coordinator.

Then, in April 2023, Edu made him Arsenal’s assistant sporting director, a role that he holds even to this day.

Now, following the Brazilian’s departure, Ayto is in line to get a wider role at the club. It will be interesting to see what his new designation will be in the coming weeks.