Arsenal CEO Gazidis to leave Gunners for Italian giants AC Milan

Ivan Gazidis is to leave his position as chief executive of Arsenal to take over a similar role at AC Milan.

The 54-year-old has worked for the Gunners since 2009 and has described his move as “the hardest decision” of his life. Gazidis will leave Arsenal on 31 October before taking up his new post at San Siro on 1 December.

Arsenal announced that they will not directly replace Gazidis – with Raul Sanllehi, currently head of football relations at the Emirates Stadium, to become head of football following his departure. Meanwhile Arsenal’s chief commercial officer Vinai Venkatesham will take over the role of managing director at the same point.

Gazidis, pictured, oversaw the process to appoint head coach Unai Emery to replace Arsene Wenger in May and has also been behind the change in management structure, playing a major role in introducing roles such as Sanllehi’s, as well as that of head of recruitment – held by Sven Mislintat.

Those appointments wrested some power away from Wenger, whose 22-year tenure came to a close at the end of last season. Emery has since taken the reins after a thorough interview process headed up by Gazidis.

“Although it is very hard to do – the hardest decision of my life – I believe that, after ten years, it is the right time for me to step aside to allow new leadership, energy and ideas to take the club forward into this exciting new era,” said Gazidis .