Ex-Arsenal chief who questioned Arteta role lined up by Premier League rivals

26 June 2023 , 12:32

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Mikel Arteta with Raul Sanhelli (R), who later criticised his change of role. (Image: (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))

Former Arsenal head of football Raul Sanllehi has been reportedly earmarked to take up a similar role with Everton, three years on from his departure from North London.

Sanhelli spent three years at Arsenal, taking the role as part of the transition from Arsene Wenger's management of the club. He has since returned to La Liga, where he was once Director of Football at Barcelona, becoming director general for Real Zaragoza.

He is now being targeted by Everton, with the Toffees having experienced close brushes with relegation in both of the past two seasons, despite vast sums being spent on the squad.

This is reported by the Daily Mail, with Everton's ongoing restructuring process currently taking place at board level. The long-serving Bill Kenwright was confirmed to be retaining his role as chairman, with owner Farhad Moshiri stepping up to the boardroom as part of what is being described as a 'transitional period' for the club.

In a statement last week, the changes were confirmed, with Moshiri saying: “I wanted Bill to remain as our Chairman during this important period of transition for the Club and I am delighted that he has accepted my request to do so. Bill’s knowledge and vast experience will be crucial for us as we look to reset, deliver on external investment and position Everton for a successful future."

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Sanhelli left Arsenal in 2020, with Mikel Arteta's appointment in 2019 having been the catalyst for progress at the club. Since then, the Gunners have progressed to the point where they challenged for the title last season, also returning to the Champions League for the first time since 2016/17.

Farhad Moshiri (R) and Bill Kenwright (L) are having a 'transitional' period this summer. ((Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images))

Speaking to The Athletic last year, Sanllehi criticised a move which saw Arteta taking on a broader scope of responsibilities, with his role expanded to cover the club's long-term objectives, becoming first team manager having initially been hired as head coach.

"They have betrayed the model a little bit now," Sanhelli explained. "By going back to the manager at the top, that is a mistake, but that is their mistake. I would have not allowed that to happen. But that's fine, it is working so far for them.

"I do not agree when clubs call the first-team coach 'the manager', the first-team coach is first-team coach, that is enough. Nowadays, the workload is overwhelming, and I need him to concentrate on the first team.

"Anything that distracts you from that is not your responsibility — travel arrangements, the pitch, salary budget, medical department. We will get other people to do that. The first-team coach is short-term oriented — just win tonight's game."

Will Freeman