“I want to help” – What Arsene Wenger has already said about Arsenal’s ‘director of football’ role is very interesting

Arsenal need a new sporting director after Edu Gaspar left the club.

The Brazilian had been one of the most important figures at the Emirates over the last five years. He did an incredible job and played a big part in Arsenal’s transformation under Mikel Arteta.

Edu resigned from his role as Arsenal’s sporting director on Monday in what was a shock to everyone. Nobody was expecting to see him move on so quickly. However, the decision has been made and a replacement is now necessary.

Some fans are demanding that Arsene Wenger should replace Edu as the club’s new sporting director.

Arsene Wenger’s past comments about director of football role at Arsenal

Arsenal never had a sporting director before Edu.

The Brazilian became the first-ever technical director in 2019 and then became the first-ever sporting director in November 2022.

When Wenger was at the helm as the manager, he called all the shots. There was no room or need for a sporting director back then.

The legendary Frenchman did it all on his own and preferred it that way. He even publicly claimed that he doesn’t even know what a ‘director of football’ means.

Wenger said in a press conference in May 2017, as quoted by Sky Sports: “Director of football, I don’t know what it means.

“Is it someone who stands on the road and directs the players left and right? I never understand what it means, director of football.

“I’m the manager of Arsenal and as long as I am manager, I will decide what happens on the technical front. That’s it!”

Should Arsenal offer Edu’s job to Wenger?

Wenger is one of the most knowledgeable people in football.

The Frenchman’s talent ID is unquestionable and every person in the game respects him. He is a huge name too and knows Arsenal and the club’s values better than most others.

We would love to see Wenger back at Arsenal in some capacity, but the sporting director needs to be someone who is ruthless.

We’re not sure if Wenger can be like that, which is why we think Arsenal should consider someone else for that role in the coming weeks.

There aren’t any elite sporting directors available right now. That makes this a tough job for Stan and Josh Kroenke as they look for Edu’s heir.