Tomas Rosicky Speaks on Arsenal Sporting Director Links
Tomas Rosicky has spoken publicly about recent speculation linking him to the vacant Arsenal sporting director role. The 44-year-old, who has been serving as the sporting director of Sparta Prague since 2018, has played a crucial role in the club’s resurgence. Under his leadership, Sparta Prague has secured back-to-back Czechia First League championships and regained entry into the UEFA Champions League. This success has naturally positioned him as a potential candidate for Arsenal’s top executive role, previously held by Edu.
Arsenal’s Search for a New Sporting Director
Following Edu’s departure in November, Arsenal has been conducting an extensive search for his successor. Current interim sporting director Jason Ayto remains under consideration, alongside notable names such as Dan Ashworth, Andrea Berta, Roberto Olabe, and Thiago Scuro. The decision, which is expected to be finalized in March, is a crucial one for the club’s long-term strategy in player recruitment and squad development.
Rosicky Clarifies His Position on Arsenal Links
In an exclusive interview with Flashscore on the Livesport Daily podcast, Rosicky set the record straight regarding his connection to the Arsenal job. He confirmed that while he is honored to be associated with the club in discussions, there has been no formal approach from Arsenal’s management.
“The reality is simple. My connection with Arsenal is natural because I spent 10 years there, and when you spend 10 years somewhere, you form a very strong bond. I have this strong bond with Arsenal and with Sparta Prague. These are the two clubs I love football-wise because I have a warm relationship with them.
I am honored by the fact that I am even being considered by Arsenal’s management, but I can say that I don’t have any offer to go to Arsenal.”
Rosicky acknowledged that he is aware of being on Arsenal’s radar but reiterated that there have been no official discussions or proposals at this stage.
Relationship with Mikel Arteta
Rosicky also addressed his relationship with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, with whom he played during his time at the club. He clarified that while they share mutual respect and had conversations in the past, they do not maintain regular communication about transfers or footballing matters.
“That’s not the case either. We were good teammates and spent quite a bit of time together, but it’s not like we’re calling each other regularly. Regarding Imanol’s transfer, it wasn’t that I consulted him about the player—that’s a little different story. They have the same agent, who also represents Mikel. So at that time, we were in contact, exchanging some text messages about how his agent takes pictures with me.
It’s not like we are best friends. I think we’re great colleagues, and we had a great time together. We’re always happy to see each other when there’s an opportunity.”
Arsenal’s Transfer Strategy and Decision Timeline
As Arsenal continues its search for a new sporting director, Jason Ayto remains in charge on an interim basis. During the January transfer window, no new signings were made, indicating that Arsenal is prioritizing long-term planning over short-term acquisitions. Interviews for the permanent role are set to be conducted in the coming weeks, with a final decision expected in March.
Arsenal’s Next Steps
The appointment of a new sporting director will be a pivotal moment for Arsenal, as they look to solidify their position among Europe’s elite clubs. Whether Rosicky ultimately emerges as a frontrunner or Arsenal chooses another candidate remains to be seen. However, the Czech football legend’s name will continue to be associated with the club due to his deep connection and impact during his playing days.
Sporting Director Candidates and Their Credentials
graph TD;
A[Arsenal Sporting Director Role] -->|Candidate| B[Jason Ayto (Interim)]
A -->|Candidate| C[Dan Ashworth]
A -->|Candidate| D[Andrea Berta]
A -->|Candidate| E[Roberto Olabe]
A -->|Candidate| F[Thiago Scuro]
A -->|Candidate| G[Tomas Rosicky]
Conclusion
While Tomas Rosicky remains an admired figure at Arsenal, he has confirmed that there have been no official discussions regarding a return to the Emirates as a sporting director. Arsenal’s search continues, with several high-profile candidates in contention. As the club navigates this critical decision, fans eagerly await an announcement that will shape the club’s future in recruitment and squad management.
