Arsenal director Edu to help with hunt for women’s team replacement for Joe Montemurro

ARSENAL technical chief Edu will aid the search for a new manager to replace Joe Montemurro as boss of the Gunners' WSL side.

Montemurro, 51, revealed he will be leaving the club at the end of the season after joining in 2017.

Although Arsenal say they are "disappointed" with his decision to depart, officials have begun the hunt for his successor immediately.

And club chief, Vinai Venkatesham said he will be involved in the process, alongside Edu and Clare Wheatley, Gunners head of women's football and their people director Karen Ann Joesphides.

Venkatesham, 40, said: "In terms of process, there will be a few of us involved to find Joe's replacement.

"We will have the management of Arsenal Women, our people director, our technical director, Edu, and of course I'll be involved in the process."

Edu has thrived in his senior backroom role with the Gunners since he re-joined them in 2019.

And Arsenal Prem boss Mikel Arteta heaped praise on Edu for spearheading some major transfer deals in recent past few months.

Arteta, 39, said: "I think he is doing a great job at the club since I joined.

"The clarity that he showed when they came to try to convince me to join the club and then to stick to the plan we have and the way he is going about it, I am really impressed with him."

The former Brazil international also enjoyed a glittering playing career with the Gunners, winning two Premier League titles.

Edu was also a member of their infamous 'Invincibles' side that went unbeaten for the whole 2004/05 season.

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Venkatesham is keen to use Edu's winning mentality in finding Montemurro's replacement

And the Arsenal chief revealed he wants the club to compete in Europe and challenge Chelsea and Manchester City for the Women's Super League supremacy.

Venkatesham added: "Foremost we want to bring on board someone who can help us achieve our sporting ambitions.

"To help us be as successful as we can in the domestic game, to compete to win the WSL title, and someone who can help us be successful in Europe as well."

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