Kroenke’s first signing will be Arsenal’s new Sporting Director
Talk in the City is currently high regarding Stan Kroenke’s takeover at Arsenal as the American business tycoon will be looking to add former Barcelona transfer guru Txiki Begiristain as either a Sporting Director or Director of Football.
Whilst his forename may resemble that of something you may want from your local chemists, Begiristain was previously a footballer from 1982 to 1999, picking up appearances for Real Sociedad, Barcelona and Japanese outfit Urawa Red Diamonds. During this time he was also capped twenty-two times for Spain.
As Director of Football for Barcelona he was the middle man for bridging deals for the likes of Dani Alves and Ronaldinho as well as having major input on the Barca academy set up.
Should Kroenke get his man, the position could be regarded somewhat as that of former vice chairman David Dein, a man who made it his business to remain in close proximity with the first team and the youth set up. Whilst Dein can only ever really be replaced by himself, it could be considered as a shrewd move by the American for Begiristain as Arsenal look to regroup over the summer.
Although tension is sometimes caused between club managers as sporting directors it is believed that Kroenke will allow current manager Arsene Wenger to have the first and final say with regards to new players with Begiristain’s role more informally known as a “deal maker” and negotiator.
Whether this is a good move for Arsenal could be discussed long into the night however interest for Begiristain, who will be 47 in August, has also been recorded from other London clubs, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
