James Ellis leaving his post as Arsenal technical director was a surprise, according to the Sun.
He was promoted to the role at the Emirates Stadium club last summer to support sporting director Andrea Berta with recruitment following Jason Ayto’s departure.
Ellis has now left the Gunners after just a few months because his plans for the academy did not align with the people above him.
The former Arsenal head of recruitment is a strong character and had very clear plans about the direction he wanted to take the academy during the 2026-27 season.
The 46-year-old, who started at Arsenal as first-team scout after joining from Fulham in 2021, was in charge of dealing with parents and sorting out contracts of academy stars.
Ellis helped the Gunners tie down Max Dowman to scholarship terms and had been in talks to do the same with other highly-rated youngsters at the club.
He will not be short of suitors in the Premier League and overseas after his experience with Arsenal.
The Gunners will bring in a replacement soon, with the summer transfer window just a few months away.
They need a technical director capable of overseeing the academy recruitment and contracts, and promotion could take place from within.
Arsenal have been strengthening their youth ranks in recent months as they prepare for the future, and they will look to keep luring some of the best youngsters to the club.
