Arsenal legend Freddie Ljungberg has resigned from his post as first-team coach under Mikel Arteta.
The Swede made his name as a player for the Gunners where he won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups.
After retiring from the game, he returned to Arsenal as an ambassador in 2013 before part of the set-up at their academy to coach the Under-15s.
Ljungberg was Wolfsburg’s assistant manager for a brief period in 2017 before returning to Arsenal the following year – this time taking charge of the U-23s.
I have decided to leave my first team assistant coaching role at @Arsenal to progress my management experience. I have been involved with this club on and off since 1998 and am grateful for all the opportunities they have given me both as a player and as a coach. pic.twitter.com/KZjIeVFaB4
— Freddie Ljungberg (@freddie) August 22, 2020
Ljungberg stayed on as assistant coach to Mikel Arteta when the Spaniard was named Unai Emery’s successor in December, but the former midfielder has now decided to leave Arsenal for a new challenge.
He posted in a statement on Twitter: “I have decided to leave my first team assistant coaching role at
@Arsenal to progress my management experience.
“I have been involved with this club on and off since 1998 and am grateful for all the opportunities they have given me both as a player and as a coach.
“I wish Mikel and all the team every success for the season ahead. Thanks also to the fans for their constant support and for always being by my side. I hope we will all meet again soon.”
Arsenal technical director and former team-mate Edu said: “We’re really sad to see Freddie leave as we know how much he loves Arsenal.
Freddie Ljungberg is leaving the club to pursue new opportunities in the coming season.
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 22, 2020
“However, we know he has had various opportunities over the last 12 months and stuck to the job at Arsenal. Now he has the opportunity to consider other options, and it makes sense for his career at this time.
“Freddie has made a huge contribution in his coaching role, most importantly when he led the team during that difficult period between Unai’s departure and Mikel’s appointment.
“We will forever be grateful for what he did then and what he’s done since but fully recognise his desire to move on and be a head coach himself.”
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