Arsenal had to choose between Caldentey and Miedema, says Eidevall | Arsenal Women

Jonas Eidevall has admitted budget restrictions forced Arsenal to choose between signing World Cup winner Mariona Caldentey and extending Vivianne Miedema’s contract.

Eidevall also said his decision to let Miedema leave had led to such a breakdown in his relationship with fans that the “cloud” over the club could only be swept away by his resignation. The Swede resigned in mid-October and was named head coach of the San Diego Wave on Tuesday.

Eidevall told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet: “You have a limited budget that you have to deal with, and we had the opportunity to sign Mariona Caldentey or extend Vivianne Miedema’s contract. Then you have to choose between/or. But it’s not a decision that you talk about later in a press conference and say: “We had to choose between two players.” The reality is that we couldn’t afford both. Then I have to make a decision on what I think is best for the club.

Miedema, the Women’s Super League top scorer, was allowed to leave last summer at the end of her contract. Salt was rubbed into supporters’ wounds when the striker, who had suggested she did not want to go, signed for title rivals Manchester City. Caldentey joined the club from Barcelona in July.

“I think when we didn’t renew Miedema’s contract, my relationship at the time with the fans hurt the team,” Eidevall told Sports Illustrated. “I thought (leaving) was the easiest quick fix for the team to be able to perform again. It was an incredibly difficult personal decision for me to make, but sometimes you have to do it when it’s what you think is best for the team. I preach this to any team as well. I always advocate doing what’s best for the team.

Eidevall resigned after a series of poor performances and fan discontent. Under the interim management of Renée Slegers, Arsenal won 10 matches and drew 11 matches.

“I feel like there was a cloud hanging over us,” Eidevall said. “If it had just weighed on me, then I would be fine. Carefree. But if this becomes a narrative that affects the team, then the team’s performance in the fall will not benefit.

Eidevall said he and Emma Hayes had “no relationship” since the then Chelsea manager accused him of “male aggression” during the Continental League Cup final last March. Eidevall’s new team includes players selected by Hayes in his role as manager of the United States women’s national team.

In San Diego, he will work alongside a sports director, Camille Ashton. “I really missed it at Arsenal,” he said. “It’s a lonely place to be a head coach without an athletic director.”