Boardroom shakeup as Arsenal CEO replaced by Man United boss

As part of a reshuffle, a Man United supremo is set to join one of the most influential boards in football in place of on a long-standing Arsenal chief.

There has been a number of changes behind the scenes at the Emirates in recent years, perhaps the most significant of which has been Josh Kroenke’s move into a more senior position.

Josh Kroenke is co-chair of Arsenal alongside his father Stan Kroenke, but there is no doubt which of the pair is exercising more influence on a day-to-day basis.

The junior Kroenke has certainly become the public face of the club’s executive branch, commenting matters such as the potential expansion of the Emirates Stadium.

Second at Arsenal in terms of seniority is CEO Richard Garlick, who officially began his position over the summer, replacing Vinai Venkatashem.

A lawyer by trade, Garlick will be charged with overseeing, among other things, Arsenal‘s compliance within a fast evolving regulatory environment – both domestically and in Europe.

But Arsenal’s influence on the continental scene has tumbled because of one major change behind the scenes at a top European institution.

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Arsenal no longer represented on ECA board as Man United exec appointed

The European Club Association is one of the most influential organisations in European football and its power has increased exponentially since the failure of the European Super League.

The ECA acts as the single lobbying organisation for clubs in Europe.

Arsenal were kicked out of the organisation in the wake of the Super League plot, but were later readmitted along with their co-conspirators.

Before he stepped down at Arsenal, Venkatesham was a board member at the ECA from 2021 before he was promoted to executive committee member late last year.

It was widely presumed that Garlick would inherit his predecessor’s position on the 24-person board.

However, the ECA have now confirmed that Venkatesham has been replaced by Man United board member Jean-Claude Blanc at a summit in Dublin, Ireland.

What is the ECA? What are Arsenal and Man United’s roles?

In recent months the ECA’s has had it authority challenged somewhat by the Union of European Clubs.

The Union of European Clubs claims that the ECA is not adequately representing smaller clubs and is instead favouring the likes of Man United and Arsenal.

After talks with the Union of European Club earlier this year, FIFA were forced to clarify earlier this year that they only recognised the ECA as the representative body of clubs in Europe.