Shake-up after Gazidis exit
BRIGHTON striker Glenn Murray said Chris Hughton gave his players the hairdryer treatment at half-time to inspire their 2-2 draw at Southampton on Monday.
The Seagulls were 2-0 down and Murray, right, whose late penalty saved it, said: “The manager can give the hairdryer when he needs to – and this was one night when he did. We deserved it.” JOSH KROENKE is set to take a more hands-on role at Arsenal after the departure of Ivan Gazidis to AC Milan was finally confirmed.
Kroenke, son of majority Gunners shareholder Stan, has been a growing influence at the Gunners, where he is a non-executive director.
He is also president of Colorado Avalanche in the NHL and Denver Nuggets in the NBA, and alternate governor of Colorado Rapids in the MLS. Chief executive Gazidis was offered a £1million pay rise to move to Milan after joining Arsenal in 2008 and overseeing a major shake-up as well as the appointment of Unai Emery. He will have an equity stake in the Italian club.
Gazidis described the move as “the hardest decision of my life”, adding: “After 10 years, it is the right time to step aside to allow new leadership, energy and ideas to take the club forward.”
Gazidis will leave on October 31. FIFA president Gianni Infantino, left, has voiced his objection to leagues playing competitive games abroad. As part of a new deal, the Spanish top flight plans to play at least one game a year in North America. Infantino said: “The general principle is that you play a ‘home’ match at ‘home’, and not in a foreign country.”