At a Glance:
- Brighton & Hove Albion have parted ways with Jayson Ayto.
- Ayto worked at Arsenal between 2014 and 2025.
- Arsenal fans believe this departure at the Amex says a lot about Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal won the Premier League this season, in large part due to the stability provided by the imperturbable Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners have been in the mix for this piece of silverware for several seasons, and this year it finally fell their way. Arteta’s outfit were crowned champions over two weeks ago now, when Bournemouth held Manchester City to a draw at the Vitality Stadium.
The Spanish manager has been criticised for several years for certain aspects of his management style, but as more former Arsenal employees fail elsewhere, the divisive tactician’s stock continues to grow.
Former Arsenal scout Jayson Ayto leaves Brighton
Former Arsenal Chief Scout Jayson Ayto has officially left his role as Brighton and Hove Albion’s Sporting Director. The Englishman joined the south coast club last September and helped oversee a successful season for the Seagulls.
Fabian Hurzeler’s team finished eighth in the Premier League, securing Conference League qualification. Despite this success, Ayto has left the Amex after just eight months in the role.
Brighton & Hove Albion has confirmed that Jason Ayto has left the club.
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) June 3, 2026
The football administrator spent eleven years at Arsenal between 2014 and 2025. Initially just part of the Gunners’ extensive scouting network, Ayto was then promoted to Chief Scout in 2021.
He spent four years in this role before stepping in for Edu Gaspar as Arsenal’s interim sporting director for a brief period. Speculation surfaced suggesting that he may succeed the Brazilian full-time, although the Gunners ultimately opted for the more experienced Andrea Berta to take over.
Ayto was then demoted back into an Executive Assistant role to Berta, before parting ways with Arsenal last summer.
Arsenal fans react to Ayto leaving Brighton
While Ayto was revered as a scout for Arsenal, many Gunners supporters remember him as the man who opted not to sign anyone in the January 2025 transfer window, despite Arteta dealing with an injury crisis. With his stint at Brighton not lasting long, there are now further question marks looming around him regarding his credentials as a sporting director.
Arsenal fans are now delighted that the Gunners’ hierarchy didn’t show a leap of faith in the 41-year-old 12 months ago, and instead opted for Berta. Ayto is the latest in a string of senior figures to leave the North London club to struggle in their next role.
Supporters of the Premier League champions took to social media to express how this recurring theme emphasises how well Arteta has done.
One wrote on X: “Edu – sacked at Forest in a year. Vinai [Venkatesham] – nearly relegated Spurs in nine months. Ayto – Brighton binned him in nine months. Per [Mertesacker] – agreed to leave, academy was failing. James Ellis – now at Bristol City. Never let them downplay Arteta. Greatest one-man club revival in HISTORY.”
Edu – sacked at Forest in a year
— . (@hitaboutit2) June 3, 2026
Vinai – nearly relegated Spurs in 9 months
Ayto – Brighton binned him in 9 months
Per – agreed to leave, academy was failing
James Ellis – now at Bristol City
Never let them downplay Arteta
Greatest one-man club revival in HISTORY. https://t.co/MLQbNZD5rK
Tom Canton, a senior Arsenal journalist, added: “Both Edu Gaspar and Jason Ayto leaving Nott’m Forest and Brighton, respectively, within less than a year of their appointments since leaving Arsenal. We need more nuance, but there is something there, isn’t there?”
Both Edu Gaspar and Jason Ayto leaving Nott'm Forest and Brighton, respectively, within less than a year of their appointments since leaving Arsenal.
— Tom Canton (@TomCantonMedia) June 3, 2026
We need more nuance, but there is something there, isn't there?
One fan responded to this suggestion from Canton, writing: “Has to be, if they were really THOSE guys then they would’ve succeeded after Arsenal. Thank GOD we didn’t give Ayto the permanent job.”
Has to be, if they were really THOSE guys then they would’ve succeeded after Arsenal. Thank GOD we didn’t give Ayto the permanent job. https://t.co/Nc7pQ2CrGd
— sidney handjerker 🐝🇲🇽 (@Cesinho17) June 3, 2026
Finally, another added: “Two former Arsenal employees, Edu and Ayto, are out of work after leaving Arsenal. This may say a lot.”
Two former Arsenal employees in Edu and Ayto out of work after leaving Arsenal. This may say a lot.
— Rob Horton (@boringAFC) June 3, 2026
Clearly, Arteta deserves more flowers with what he’s built within the confines of London Colney.
