After working in such close proximity for several years, Edu eventually told his deputy Jason Ayto that it was time to get out of Arsenal ’s London Colney headquarters. Ayto was typically one of the first to arrive at the training ground, and one of the last to leave. But Edu wanted him to experience a change of scene.
Advertisement “At one stage, I said: ‘Jason, get out of the office please!’,” Arsenal’s former sporting director tells The Athletic . “It was for his development. I told him: ‘Get out there, meet people, call people, build relationships.
’” For Edu, it was the next step in the process of preparing Ayto — and Arsenal — for life without him. “I felt since I arrived like I had to prepare someone for if I left one day,” Edu says. “I think it’s fair for the club — I did the same at Corinthians, and with Brazil .
Someone has to understand all the information, to know everything internally and externally, and I felt Jason would be the one. And I said that to everyone internally.” Edu’s preparation is paying off.
Since the Brazilian’s resignation in November, 39-year-old Ayto has stepped into the breach as Arsenal’s interim sporting director. While Arsenal still intend to carry out a far-reaching recruitment process, Ayto is likely to remain in the post until at least the summer — and is considered by many as a strong candidate to land the role permanently. That marks a remarkable rise for a man who, until recently, was not we.
