Joe Montemurro, a final year student of Parade’s Class of 1987, is to stand down as Arsenal Women’s Manager at season’s end.

Joe has held the position since November 2017, during which time he guided the Gunners to the 2018-19 Women's Super League title as well as the League Cup in 2018.

In a statement released by the club, it was reported that Joe, whose side currently sits fourth on the WSL table, had “decided to take a professional break to recharge and dedicate more time to spending with his family”.

The 51-year-old boy from Fairfield, a well-liked and respected figure throughout the sport, said he had made the decision in February – “the hardest professional decision of my life, as I absolutely love this job and this club, the club I have supported all my life”.

“Probably just after the return this season there were some things I needed to resolve and look at, but the decision happened in February and we decided that this was the best time to announce it going forward,” Joe later told reporters.

“The biggest thing I was scared of when I told Vinai (Venkatesham, chief executive) and Clare (Wheatley, development manager) was that they’d be upset and never let me back into the club, but they’ve been absolutely amazing.

“I can sit here and safely say that I will be forever part of the Arsenal family and I was one of the lucky ones that got to work here and give my all and meet some amazing people.”

For the past nine years, Joe has remained in continuous management with Melbourne City, during which time he’s had to split time with his family, some of whom remained in Australia during his tenure with the Gunners.

Joe’s plans beyond Arsenal are unknown at the time of writing.

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