AuthorJeffEyesRimmer After the humiliating defeat in the League Cup final against Manchester City many fans and pundits alike questioned Arsene Wenger’s managerial abilities. It wasn’t just the defeat that was the problem; it was the manner of defeat that had fans frothing. It was lame and directionless and two subsequent losses since then now leave Arsenal unlikely to finish anywhere near the haloed top four. In fact at the time of writing they are closer to Bournemouth in 12th than Liverpool in 2nd. Burnley are now only five points away from Arsenal and they had their first win in 12 games this past weekend. That speaks volumes for the kind of form Arsenal have been in. There have been plenty of calls for Wenger to step down as manager. Here at Football Outcasts HQ we have always been of the opinion that coming consistently 4-6th in the EPL, providing occasional trophies, being financially solvent and being in Europe consistently was something for fans to laud rather than moan about. However, the key question for us has always been – Who do you replace Wenger with if you sack him? It’s a question we ask consistently of clubs looking to or sacking managers, an exit strategy is needed and quite often there doesn’t appear to be one. We have speculated on our podcast and in our other articles who Arsenal could replace Wenger with. Who would take the job? Who would be considered a step up for fans? Who would players trust and who would be cheap enough for this Arsenal board? We at the Football Outcasts have always struggled to identify managers that would be able to answer these questions, until now. Now we have jumped on the Wenger Out bandwagon. So who are some of the managers being touted to be in line for the job if (when) Wenger is pushed. The Exotic Option - Luis Enrique Touted as a potential replacement for Conte at Chelsea and he has a big admirer in Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique would certainly bring quality to Arsenal. He likes to a play a similar style of play to Arsenal as well and might be able to get the best out of a squad set up to play that way. London provides an appealing destination for Enrique as well, being able to nip home when needed as well. He achieved plenty in Barcelona and then took a sabbatical from the game; however, there are questions marks. Was the success at Barcelona really his own or did it just come off the back of Peps successes? That’s probably a little unfair but with that question hanging in the air would improving Arsenal be a project that might shake those questions? The Local Option - Eddie Howe I personally don’t think Howe is ready in a tactical and man management sense to go to a club with aspirations of champion’s league football and competing for titles domestically. While Howe has been a success with Bournemouth his one other managerial appointment at Burnley was a complete disaster. This appointment would likely appease the ‘Proper Football Men’ that think British managers should get a fair go at the top jobs (they have and failed by the way) but while Howe might be one for the future, I cant seem him having the tactical acumen to deal with European football. Personally, I don’t think he should be considered. The Progressive Option - Thomas Tuchels While Eddie Howe is a bit green for the Arsenal job, Thomas Tuchels (who is only a few years older) might be a potential good option for them. A few seasons at the helm of Borussia Dortmund is a bigger job than Bournemouth (no offence Cherries fans) and he did reasonably well, especially when your best players seem to get stolen from you by Munich. Tuchels has also managed Dortmund to a cup final in his first season and last season won the Cup, he also has experience in the Champions League. He would already have a player at Arsenal he has coached in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang too. The one key factor here though is that Tuchels is currently out of work, having left Dortmund at the end of last season, so no compensation to pay! The Sensible Option - Rafa Benitez This to me would be the most sensible of options for Arsenal to pursue. Benitez has a proven track record and big clubs, has won trophies, improved clubs everywhere he has gone and would be respected by the players. His time at Newcastle has been successful in so much as he got them back into the EPL and then it looks very likely that Newcastle will stay up this season. That is despite the clubs owner doing his best to undermine that. The lack of money to spend has resulted in a difficult working environment for Benitez but he has done reasonably well with the squad he has got. I think he would jump at the chance to go to Arsenal and while their board are also tight with cash they are slightly better at spending it that Mike Ashley at Newcastle. Would fans really take to him though? It’s a big question. The Unlikely Option – Carlo Ancelotti When big clubs these days go through a bit of a poor form and are potentially looking at replacing their manager Ancelotti’s name is often mentioned. The reason is that he wins trophies wherever he goes and is well respected by fans and players alike. However, he isn’t a spring chicken anymore and is in the fortunate position of being able to pick and choose jobs when he wants. So even though he would make a marvellous appointment in my opinion, I can’t see him choosing to be the next Arsenal manager when there are potentially more appealing jobs in the offering at the end of this season. The Dream Option – Diego Simeone As a mate who is an arsenal fan told me Simone is the dream appointment. As with Ancelotti I am unsure if Simone would consider a move from Atletico Madrid at the moment. Simone has been able to upset the established two in Spain before, so why not again. Is it more of less of a challenge to break that duopoly than get Arsenal back into the top four? I think he would certainly add steel and discipline to this Arsenal side and if reports are to be believed that some players have to be picked up from home to go to training and there is a lack effort he could be the kick up the arse the players need. He wouldn’t tolerate anything but 100% effort and players would be quickly moved on if they didn’t. Could be the very thing Arsenal needs to be honest. The Off The Wall Option – Brendan Rodgers The manager of Celtic is judged by the European form rather than the domestic form, where fans expect at least the domestic league title and Rodgers did achieve Champions’ League Group qualification this season as well as domestic success. Something that Celtic have lacked in recent times. While at first this seems like a ludicrous option, Rodgers has met the expectation of winning domestically with Celtic and has also improved in Europe. He also got closer to the EPL title with Liverpool than Wenger has with Arsenal in the past 10 years. Maybe not so daft an appointment after all? The Internal Option – Steve Bould Yes, that’s right, Steve Bould! Currently the number 2 at Arsenal, would promoting from within provide stability while also making a statement. It would be very Arsenal to stay loyal to people within. Assistant managers are in place to learn their craft from the main man in charge, so why not give Bould a chance. The man is Arsenal through and has won major trophies with the team. He would provide continuity and knows the club inside and out. Worth a punt? The Best Option - Antonio Conte Conte would be a great fit for Arsenal. He wants to play good football, he has won the EPL title, is proven in Europe and on the International stage and, let’s be honest, soon to be out of work. That means no payment of compensation. He would add discipline and would be able to remain in his base in London. He is a big enough name to gain respect from the players and fans and after leaving Chelsea (probably) would have something to prove. Overall, I think he would be a good appointment.
Other Options: Mikel Arteta, Unal Emery, Ronald Koeman, Big Sam! (only joking, although he probably thinks he should get it) Wenger is in danger of undoing all the good he has done for the club and English football and leaving a bitter legacy. As they say ‘You either die a hero or live long enough to become the villain’. Arsenal fans what do you think, who would you like as your next manager? |
AuthorsJust Some Fans Writing About Football. Archives
June 2018
Categories
All
|