Arsenal tried to get chief to stay before shock exit
Tim Lewis was offered a non-executive position at Arsenal before leaving the club, according to a recent report.
In September, it was announced that Arsenal executive vice-chair Tim Lewis would be departing the club. Following his exit, Richard Garlick stepped up as the new CEO, with other representatives from Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) also appointed to the board.
However, before Lewis left, James McNicholas of The Athletic revealed that the 62-year-old was offered a non-executive role at Arsenal. Sources familiar with Lewis suggest he was unlikely to accept what many considered a demotion. This has led some to view the offer as a token gesture toward someone who was always expected to leave under these circumstances.
Alongside Lewis’ departure and Garlick’s promotion, several new board members joined Arsenal. Film producer and director Ben Winston was appointed as a non-executive director, along with KSE representatives Kelly Blaha and Otto Maly, and KSE advisor Dave Steiner.
These changes came as a surprise to outsiders, especially given Lewis’ significant involvement in Arsenal’s recent summer transfer window. Working closely with Andrea Berta and Mikel Arteta, Lewis played a key role in securing high-profile deals such as the signing of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace.
Internally, however, McNicholas reports that the new board appointments had been under consideration for some time.
While it’s always challenging to measure the influence of a single individual behind the scenes at a club like Arsenal, Lewis’ appointment to the board in 2020 coincided with an improvement period for the team. This came after a difficult phase following Arsene Wenger’s departure.
Parting ways with one of the key figures behind those positive changes is a significant decision. The pressure is now on Kroenke Sports & Entertainment to demonstrate that this move was in the club’s best interest.
https://dailycannon.com/2025/11/tim-lewis-arsenal-offer/
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