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Arsenal supporters have long been clamoring for a seasoned, ready-made leader to steer the club towards significant trophies and continental success. While that elite striker remains elusive, they now have a promising alternative: a proven figure with a track record of bringing such talent to the club for immediate results.
Meet Andrea Berta—the 53-year-old Italian businessman turned transfer specialist who has taken on the pivotal role of sporting director at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. Berta steps into a substantial role, following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Edu, who worked diligently alongside manager Mikel Arteta to elevate the Gunners into Premier League title contenders through shrewd recruitment during his tenure, which began in July 2019.
The immediate objective is clear: to build upon this foundation and restore the Holy Grail of English football to North London, thereby ending a 21-year title drought. Berta, on paper, appears to be the ideal individual for the task. His 12-year association with Atletico Madrid, alongside coach Diego Simeone, was marked by remarkable achievements both on and off the pitch. His prowess in the transfer market earned him admiration from European heavyweights, establishing him as one of the continent’s most astute football operators before he was appointed sporting director in 2017.
During his eight-year tenure, Atletico secured La Liga glory in 2021, along with the Europa League and UEFA Super Cup in 2018, while also reaching two Champions League finals in 2014 and 2016.
Arsenal Announces Andrea Berta’s Appointment
Arsenal officially introduced Andrea Berta as their new sporting director, with the Italian expressing his commitment to “shape a successful future with a great team” at the club. Berta, who replaces Edu following his resignation last November, is now charged with the critical task of securing an elite striker for the Emirates, as well as negotiating contract renewals for key players in Arsenal’s pursuit of their first Premier League title since 2004.
Berta, who departed a similar position at Atletico Madrid in January, stated, “I am thrilled to be joining Arsenal at a hugely exciting time for the club. I have closely followed Arsenal’s evolution in recent years and greatly admire the effort put into reestablishing the club as a major force in European football, backed by a passionate global following. The club possesses great values and a rich history, and I look forward to contributing to a successful future with a fantastic team. I can’t wait to get started in my new role and am eager to experience my first game at Emirates Stadium alongside our supporters.”
Co-owner Josh Kroenke added, “Anyone familiar with football recognizes Andrea as an impressive figure. He brings extensive knowledge of the game, a strong track record, a vast network, and an unquenchable desire to build winning teams. Andrea will be a tremendous asset to our club. He comprehends our values and what we stand for, and we are confident he will help us advance and take the next steps in our quest for major trophies.”
During his time at Atletico, Simeone often regarded Berta as one of his most trusted advisors, occasionally inviting him into the dressing room for high-stakes matches. Following three weeks of discussions, Berta was instrumental in persuading Simeone to remain at the club after a heart-wrenching Champions League final loss to Real Madrid in 2016, encouraging him to rebuild and strive for future success.
Berta’s journey to becoming a renowned sporting director began in the financial sector, working for one of Italy’s largest banks, where he balanced his day job with a fervent passion for football. His talent for assembling competitive squads developed through experiences at various amateur clubs in Brescia before he was mentored by Tommaso Ghirardi as sporting director at fourth-tier club Carpenedolo in his mid-twenties, followed by roles at Parma and Genoa.
By the time he encountered Atletico CEO Angel Gil Marin through mutual acquaintances, including super agent Jorge Mendes, in 2013, Berta had already garnered attention for his expertise and success in the Italian market, leading Marin to offer him an international scouting role a year later. It’s no surprise that he was recently linked with high-profile positions at clubs like Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and AC Milan.
Berta’s exit from Atletico in January was largely attributed to the club’s ambition to modernize and revamp their recruitment strategy and overall organizational structure. He had become accustomed to a significant degree of influence at Atletico, often playing a leading role in recruitment and player sales through informal discussions with Marin and Simeone over dinner, taking a hands-on approach to complex, high-stakes deals due to his established relationships with key agents.
However, Berta is also known for being a team player. He would step back when necessary, willing to collaborate closely and take guidance from Simeone, Marin, and managing director Carlos Bucero, avoiding the solitary approach of famed sporting director Monchi at Sevilla and now Aston Villa. This collaborative spirit will be crucial for Arteta, who expects Berta to smoothly integrate into the leadership group that includes managing director Richard Garlick, executive vice-chair Tim Lewis, co-owners Stan and Josh Kroenke, director of football operations James King, and current interim sporting director Jason Ayto.
Berta has been involved in numerous high-profile deals during his career, including the acquisitions of Antoine Griezmann and Jan Oblak in 2014, Kieran Trippier in 2019, and Julian Alvarez and Conor Gallagher last summer, along with profitable sales like Rodri to Manchester City and Thomas Partey to Arsenal. While there have been a few missteps, such as the £113 million spent on Joao Felix in 2019 and the £60 million for Thomas Lemar in 2018, Berta has generally shown a knack for making beneficial decisions.
Renowned for his composed, analytical demeanor under pressure, Berta’s involvement in a pitchside altercation with Manchester City doctor Max Sala after a heated Champions League quarter-final in April 2022 was notable. The full extent of Berta’s responsibilities at Arsenal is yet to be defined. Edu also held authority over the Arsenal women’s team and the integration of academy players into the first team.
For now, Berta faces the daunting challenge of securing an elite striker this summer, while also generating funds through player sales and extending the contracts of stars like Bukayo Saka, Gabriel, and William Saliba.