Who is Roberto Olabe? World-class sporting director linked with Arsenal

The Gunners are in search of a new sporting director after the exit of Edu.

Roberto Olabe is reportedly in “advanced talks” to become the new sporting director of Arsenal, replacing the outgoing Edu.

Following the unexpected departure of Edu Gaspar last month, Arsenal have been searching for a new sporting director. Despite receiving a large pay raise at the Emirates, the Brazilian, who was instrumental in changing Arsenal’s football operations, departed the team to join Nottingham Forest.

Since then, the Gunners have turned their attention to identifying the best person to take Edu’s place, and new information indicates that Arsenal might have found their man.

In recent years, Arteta’s Arsenal have experienced a significant metamorphosis, solidifying its place among Europe’s top clubs. Furthermore, the North London club may be ready for more success in England and Europe given Olabe’s track record of building successful teams and luring elite players.

🚨🚨| NEW: Arsenal are in advanced talks with Roberto Olabe to appoint him as the new sporting director. 🔴⚪He has prioritized Arsenal over other European clubs following positive discussions about the project.[@Santi_J_FM] pic.twitter.com/KZrBtVIsN2

— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) December 1, 2024

Who is Roberto Olabe?

Real Sociedad‘s well-liked sporting director is Roberto Olabe. A major contributor to Sociedad’s recent success, the 57-year-old is renowned for his strategic vision and talent-spotting skills. Under his direction, the LaLiga team won the Copa del Rey in 2021, its first major title in more than three decades.

In addition, they made their Champions League comeback in the 2023–2024 season, their first time participating in the competition in ten years.

Roberto Olabe’s perspective on player development is that players should reach their goals when they’re ready, not as quickly as feasible.

Olabe favours signing talented local players or bringing players through the academy. He always looks to add players from the academy to the area to strengthen the core of this present squad, which is made up of players from the youth system.

Most of the players who served up the most games over the past four seasons, such as Mikel Oyarzabal, Igor Zubeldia, and Martín Zubimendi, came from the academy and have reached their prime at the club.

Olabe has achieved much of his success while he was a member of Real Sociedad, and as their sporting director, he has performed admirably. However, he repeatedly states that it’s a difficult model to duplicate.

He has created a lot of things on top of a foundation that was already rather strong. Additionally, he knows the area and the players and supporters of the team better than anybody else.

Olabe has contributed to the development of Real Sociedad’s culture, and he has absorbed some of it. Can he have the same success if he leaves San Sebastián? We will soon find out.

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