Arsenal’s interim sporting director Jason Ayto is increasingly in the running to get the job on a permanent basis, according to a report.
Sami Mokbel reports for the Daily Mail that Arsenal’s current interim sporting director Jason Ayto has growing internal support to take on the job permanently.
Ayto has been in charge at Arsenal since Edu Gaspar’s departure in November, and he’s reportedly making a good impression behind the scenes.
Arsenal’s owners have been impressed with Ayto’s work, and view him as a genuine contender for Edu’s old job.
There are other candidates still in the mix, with Mokbel highlighting Bayer Leverkusen’s Simon Rolfes, Real Sociedad’s Roberto Olabe, Dan Ashworth (formerly of Manchester United and Newcastle United), and former Gunner Tomas Rosicky.
Rosicky was touted as one of the favourites earlier this week, with The Guardian reporting that he’s a leading contender.
Rosicky remains close with Mikel Arteta and academy manager Per Mertesacker, and he’s been in regular contact with member’s of Arsenal’s hierarchy as they look for Edu’s successor.
But it doesn’t look like they’ll be any immediate movement on that front. Rosicky remains in talks, but he’s believed to prefer seeing out the season with Sparta Prague – for whom he’s currently a sporting director.
If Rosicky really is one of the favourites, Arsenal could decide to delay on a final decision until the summer, which would give Ayto even more time to prove his worth.