Departing Real Sociedad DoF could replace Edu at Arsenal | OneFootball

Real Sociedad director of football Roberto Olabe will leave the club in 2025, with Arsenal on the hunt for a new sporting director.

Roberto Olabe of Real Sociedad (Photo via Aspire.qa)

David Ornstein reports for The Athletic that Real Sociedad director of football Roberto Olabe will leave his position at the end of the season, informing club president Jokin Aperribay of his decision earlier this year.

Olabe has a contract until 2026, but he’s opted to leave early, giving his club plenty of time to replace him.

As it stands, the 57-year-old hasn’t secured a new job after Real Sociedad.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Edu, Sporting Director of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on March 31, 2024. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Arsenal could well be in the mix, given Edu Gaspar’s decision to depart the club. The Gunners are searching for a new sporting director, and there are more than a few links between the club and Olabe.

For a start, Olabe was the man who signed Mikel Arteta for Real Sociedad during his playing days.

The director of football has done business with Arsenal on a number of occasions, including for Nacho Monreal, Kieran Tierney, and Mikel Merino, and Olabe also played a key role in Martin Odegaard’s career after loaning him from Real Madrid.

Having bought and sold the likes of Alexander Isak and David Silva as well, Olabe has a good reputation in football. He’s helped Real Sociedad to consistently compete for European football in recent years, now at five consecutive seasons in European competition.

PAMPLONA, SPAIN: Alexander Isak of Real Sociedad warms up during the La Liga Santander match between CA Osasuna and Real Sociedad at Estadio El Sadar on November 07, 2021. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Ornstein stopped short of confirming that Arsenal have an interest in Olabe, but the move clearly makes a lot of sense.

The Gunners still have plenty of time to make a decision, with Edu serving six-months’ notice, Jason Ayto filling in on an interim basis, and Olabe not available until next June.