Arsenal Technical Director James Ellis departs with immediate effect

Arsenal Technical Director James Ellis is set to leave the club just seven months after his promotion to the role, in a move that signals further restructuring behind the scenes.

Ellis stepped into the position last summer after serving as head of recruitment, with the promotion designed to provide stability during a period of significant transition.

His elevation was also intended to support newly appointed sporting director Andrea Berta, whose remit has centred primarily on first-team recruitment.

At the time, Arsenal’s hierarchy viewed Ellis as a key figure capable of maintaining continuity following the departure of former sporting director Edu in November 2024.

Edu’s exit marked the beginning of a series of internal changes, including the subsequent departure of his assistant Jason Ayto.

Ellis had been a prominent member of Edu’s football intelligence team and played a central role in shaping recruitment strategy during that period.

Following Berta’s arrival, Ellis was expected to oversee broader structural elements that previously fell under Edu’s responsibilities.

Much of his recent work focused on reshaping academy recruitment and strengthening the club’s long-term talent pipeline.

He was credited with influential involvement in securing promising prospects, including the highly rated Quintero twins and Irish teenager Victor Ozhianvuna.

Ellis also played a part in persuading academy talent Max Dowman to commit his future to the club.

In addition, he was anticipated to contribute to the process of identifying a successor to Per Mertesacker as academy manager, with Mertesacker set to depart at the end of the season.

The timing of Ellis’s exit has therefore come as a surprise, particularly given the relatively recent reintroduction of the technical director role.

That position had effectively been revived to retain Ellis within the club’s leadership structure.

His departure suggests Arsenal may now view the role as no longer essential within their evolving framework.

Andrea Berta has increasingly shaped the football department, while further recruitment adjustments have been made in recent months.

Ellis’s exit represents the latest development in a broader internal overhaul.

As Arsenal continue to refine their operational model, attention will turn to how responsibilities are redistributed and whether further changes follow.

For now, the club part ways with a figure who had become a significant presence in their recruitment and academy planning structure.

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