Steve Round, former Arsenal assistant coach, has addressed rumors surrounding his departure from the club in 2023, dispelling claims of a fallout with Mikel Arteta over the signing of goalkeeper David Raya.
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Arrival and Departure Timeline
Round joined Arsenal in 2019 alongside Mikel Arteta, contributing to the cultural and tactical overhaul of the club.
By the summer of 2023, after four years of service, he stepped down, with Carlos Cuesta assuming greater responsibility.
At the same time, Arsenal signed David Raya from Brentford. The Spaniard quickly displaced Aaron Ramsdale as the first-choice goalkeeper, sparking reports that Round had opposed the decision, allegedly fearing disruption in team harmony.
Round’s Clarification
Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Round dismissed the speculation:
“I read a piece about that and that’s completely untrue, it’s a load of rubbish. There were no arguments or differences of opinion or anything like that.”
Round explained that his exit was a mutual decision between himself and Arteta.
“When I first went in with Mikel, I said to him, when the time is right, I think I’ll need to move on when it suits us both. We discussed it in the summer, and we were both in agreement.”
Reason for Leaving
After nearly three decades in high-pressure coaching roles, Round admitted he needed a break.
“I’ve been on the front line for nearly 30 years and it was tough. Mikel also needed to refresh his staff and promote younger coaches. I’d moved more into the technical director sphere, which is what I’m focusing on now.”
Praise for Arteta and Arsenal
Round expressed admiration for Arteta’s coaching prowess and the turnaround achieved during their time together:
“Mikel’s a world-class coach. His ability to teach and organize a cohesive unit is unbelievable. I’m proud of what we achieved—helping to rebuild the club and restore its culture.”
Current Focus
Now exploring technical director opportunities, Round remains appreciative of his time at Arsenal, underscoring the mutual respect between him and Arteta despite the swirling rumors.
This clarification puts to rest claims of discord and highlights the intentional evolution of Arteta’s coaching setup.
