Swede Freddie Ljungberg, Arsenal legend and Mikel Arteta's assistant, announced on Saturday his decision to leave the London club in search of new opportunities in his coaching career. Ljungberg, as a member of the legendary Invincibles team, was an interim for Arsenal before Arteta's arrival.
“I have decided to leave my position as assistant coach of the Arsenal first team to further my coaching experience. I have been associated with this club since 1998 and I am grateful for all the opportunities they have given me as a player and as a player,” he said Ljungberg in a statement.
“I wish Mikel and the whole team every success for next season. Thanks to the fans for their constant support and for always being with me. I hope we can meet again soon,” he said.
Brazilian Edu, technical director of the Gunners, explained that they were saddened by the departure of the Swede, but that they know that “he had several opportunities in recent months and let them go through work at Arsenal.” “Now he has the opportunity to consider other important options in his career,” he said.
Edu also considered that Ljungberg “has had a great contribution, especially when he took over the team in the difficult period between Unai (Emery) leaving and Mikel (Arteta) arrival”, for which they will be “eternally grateful for what he did”.
Among other merits, he was responsible for the transition to the first team of young people such as Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Reiss Nelson, Bukayo Saka and Joe Willock.
Arteta, meanwhile, stated that “Freddie has been a really important member of the work team” since his arrival. “He did a great job taking over the team when Unai left,” added the Basque coach.