Arsenal have announced the departure of CEO Ivan Gazidis, ahead of a move to AC Milan.
Gazidis, who took over at Arsenal in January 2009, has long been linked with an exit from Arsenal. Earlier this month, head coach Unai Emery admitted he was in the dark over the 53-year-old's future.
Raul Sanllehi and Vinai Venkatesham appointed head of football and managing director respectively, as Ivan Gazidis leaves for A.C. Milan
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) September 18, 2018
Raul Sanllehi and Vinai Venkatesham will lead the club in the wake of Gazidis' departure.
In an open letter on the official Arsenal website, Gazidis wrote: "For the last 10 years I have been privileged to dedicate myself to this great club. Arsenal is entering a new chapter and I have done everything I can to ensure that it is strongly placed to take on that challenge. This includes world-class facilities and outstanding leaders in every sector who carry the values of the club, including, of course, Unai Emery, Raul Sanllehi and Vinai Venkatesham in whom I have enormous faith.
"I am now looking forward to joining one of the world's other great clubs, AC Milan, and working to restore it to its rightful place in football. Until then, I will continue to devote absolutely all my energy until my last day to ensure an orderly transition for the benefit of Arsenal Football Club.
"I am excited and energised for the future for myself and for Arsenal Football Club and I will always hold it in my heart."
The boardroom shuffle is the latest round of upheaval at the club. Arsene Wenger departed after nearly 22 seasons as manager in May. In August, Alisher Usmanov agreed to sell his 30 percent stake in the club to majority owner Stan Kroenke. And now Ian Gazidis, the club's chief executive since January 2009, is on the verge of leaving Arsenal to take a similar job at AC Milan.
Gazidis led the process of hiring Emery in May after Arsene Wenger stepped down as Arsenal manager but will now move to Italy under Milan's new owners, the Elliott Management hedge fund.
Source: espn.co.uk