Ex-Liverpool fitness guru joins Arsenal as Arsene Wenger approves new role

Burgess will return to Adelaide on an intermittent basis until November
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James Olley19 June 2017

Arsenal have appointed fitness guru Darren Burgess in a new head of high performance role created within manager Arsene Wenger’s backroom staff.

Burgess, 43, is expected to join the Gunners next month, although he will return to Adelaide on an intermittent basis until November as part of an agreed transitional period while the Aussie Rules club find a successor.

Chief executive Ivan Gazidis is also set to meet with senior Port Adelaide officials to finalise a global partnership centring on developing sports science and professional development opportunities between the two clubs.

Gazidis has been determined to make a fresh appointment after describing the period between January and April, in which Arsenal lost seven out of 12 matches, as a “catalyst for change”.

Arsenal's FA Cup wins under Arsene Wenger

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Wenger has resisted attempts from Gazidis to create a director of football position and this lower-level role will be interpreted by many as a victory for the Gunners boss, who will retain control of Arsenal’s scouting and recruitment system.

After months of speculation, Wenger signed a two-year contract following the club’s FA Cup win over Chelsea but with the caveat that the Frenchman must accept a new voice within his existing set-up.

Standard Sport understands Burgess will take up the same role at Arsenal as that he enjoyed at Port Adelaide and will encompass many of the duties undertaken at Liverpool between 2010 and 2012, where he held the title of head of fitness conditioning.

The club’s existing fitness coach, Tony Colbert, is likely to be asked to report into Burgess, who is also expected to work closely with Shad Forsythe, appointed as Arsenal’s head of athletic performance enhancement after his work with Germany at the 2014 World Cup.

Burgess left Liverpool five years ago after his role had changed but was highly rated and his return to England has disappointed Port Adelaide.

Wenger is understood to have approved Burgess’ arrival and the exact nature of Arsenal’s backroom reshuffle will be clarified when the first team reports back for pre-season training on July 3.

“Reaching this decision has been one of the toughest in my career,” said Burgess. “My family loves the lifestyle of Adelaide.

But the opportunity to return to the English Premier League and work at Arsenal is an opportunity I couldn’t refuse.”

The Gunners’ internal review is ongoing and although it is unclear whether any further staff additions will be made, the possibility remains that they could add to their backroom set-up before the start of next season.

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