Arsenal’s backroom shake-up has taken another twist. Sporting director Andrea Berta had earmarked Matteo Tognozzi, formerly head of scouting at Juventus as his preferred replacement for Jason Ayto. But after holding internal talks, the Gunners hierarchy decided against the Italian’s appointment, instead opting to promote James Ellis into the role of technical director.
Berta wanted Tognozzi, Arsenal said no
🚨 As a replacement for Jason Ayto, Andrea Berta wanted former Juventus head of scouting Matteo Tognozzi. However, Arsenal held talks and decided against the appointment, instead promoting James Ellis to technical director. ❌🇮🇹 [@gunnerblog] pic.twitter.com/OgS7R4ZISX
— DailyAFC (@DailyAFC) September 2, 2025
Berta’s admiration for Tognozzi is no secret. The 41-year-old Italian built his reputation in Turin, overseeing scouting operations at Juventus and helping unearth talents across Europe. His profile matched what Berta believed Arsenal needed: another experienced operator with a strong network on the continent. However, the club hierarchy felt differently.
Arsenal’s leadership, conscious of maintaining stability during a summer that has already seen huge change in recruitment, chose continuity. Promoting Ellis, who already knows the inner workings of the club, was seen as the safer move. According to insiders, the decision was also about balance and not disrupting existing relationships between the squad, staff, and decision-makers.
Why James Ellis?
Ellis is a long-serving figure at Arsenal, already deeply embedded in Mikel Arteta’s footballing project. The promotion reflects trust in his understanding of the current squad-building philosophy and his alignment with Arteta’s tactical demands. For the club, this was about rewarding internal talent rather than reshaping the hierarchy with another high-profile hire.
What this means for Arsenal
The move underlines a clear message: while Berta has brought fresh ideas to Arsenal since arriving from Atlético Madrid, the club are not ready to hand him free rein over every decision. His push for Tognozzi was blocked, but his wider influence most notably in pushing through deals for Viktor Gyökeres and Noni Madueke is already evident.
Ellis’ elevation also ensures continuity at a crucial point in Arsenal’s season. With big-money arrivals like Eberechi Eze and Piero Hincapié bedding in, the Gunners believe stability off the pitch is just as important as adding quality on it.
