Exclusive: Yossi Benayoun in talks to be Arsenal sporting director
Yossi Benayoun has held talks with Arsenal about the becoming the club’s new sporting director, he has exclusively told Football Insider.
Former Chelsea, Liverpool and West Ham forward Benayoun, who spent one season at Emirates Stadium during the 2011-12 campaign, spoke to Arsenal officials about potentially replacing Edu in the vacant role but no offer has been made.
Arsenal are close to making a decision on naming a new sporting director following Edu’s departure last November with a number of high-profile names linked with the role.
Benayoun is currently out of work having left his role as sporting director of the Israel national team last March after two successful years in the job.
Benayoun holds talks over replacing Edu at Arsenal
The 44-year-old, who had successful spells in the Premier League with West Ham, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, holds an ambition to return to England to work as a sporting director.
“Of course I would be interested in a sporting director role in England, but I am also a pro licensed coach,” Benayoun told Football Insider. “Let’s see what comes up.”
Benayoun took his first steps as a sporting director at Beitar Jerusalem in 2019 after announcing his retirement from his illustrious playing career.
| Appearances | 194 |
| Minutes Played | 11768 |
| Goals | 31 |
| Assists | 19 |
| Yellow Cards | 10 |
After a successful spell with Beitar Jerusalem, Israel’s most capped player took up a similar position with the national team in March 2022 aiming to guide Israel to just their second ever major finals.
Israel missed out on qualifying for Euro 2024 after elimination in the play-offs and it resulted in Benayoun losing his role with the national association.
Benayoun is keen to return to football and enhance and develop as a sporting director by returning to club football and is considering his options over a return to the UK.
Trossard could make Saudi move this summer
Any new sporting director will have to deal with the situation of Leandro Trossard, who will have 12 months left on his contract in June.
Football Insider revealed on Monday (3 March) that Arsenal star Trossard will be a viable target for Saudi Pro League clubs in the summer.
Al-Ittihad submitted a bid of around £30million in September 2024, after the close of the English transfer window.
But Trossard still ticks a lot of boxes for clubs in Saudi Arabia, with clubs keen to land more marquee signings from Europe.
For more Arsenal and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.