Although rumours have surfaced this week that Arsene Wenger will not be filling the vacant England coaching role he’s been so heavily linked with, it seems increasingly likely that the Frenchman is soon to call time on his tenure at Arsenal. After all, no-one can go on forever.
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It would arguably be the most significant managerial departure since that of Sir Alex Ferguson some years ago and it’d leave someone with some rather big shoes to fill. Hungry, tactically sharp, youthful but at the same time experienced are the criteria many are already laying out for the former-Monaco gaffer’s successor and a handful are being touted as the next boss of the North London side. Here’s a look over five in particular…
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Eddie Howe
In just seven years, including a brief season with Burnley, Eddie Howe has managed to guide Bournemouth all the way from the depths of League 2 to the holy grail of the Premier League. Along the way, he has instilled the Cherries with a positive, attacking philosophy which many feel render him the perfect match for Arsenal.
Moreover, the success has arisen with minimal spending, another fundamental aspect to the Gunners’ current success off the field, albeit at the displeasure of the club’s fan base.
Having been linked with the job previously, Howe has always rubbished claims, suggesting that his aim is to establish the South-Coast club in the Premier League before he looks to advance elsewhere.
Not long ago, Bournemouth chairman Jeff Mostyn reiterated that Howe is, quite simply, “Bournemouth through and through” and it could be difficult to lure him away. That said, Howe has not only gained promotion to the big time with the Cherries, but he kept them there in his first season, so may feel the job is done and could be tempted by a lucrative deal.
Manager Rating: 7.5/10Suitability: 7/10Likelihood of being Arsenal manager: 7/10
Diego Simeone
After what would be just shy of 21 years with the North London club, Arsene Wenger’s departure could potentially make for turbulent times for Arsenal and an experienced head would be vital in steadying the ship.
The 46-year-old’s stock has risen in correlation with Atletico’s success in the UEFA Champions League, which they’ve made the final of in two of the last three campaigns, meanwhile providing solid competition for Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga.
In comparison to his English counterpart Eddie Howe, Simeone has more experience of managing big egos and moulding together a group of very talented individuals to play as a team.
A typical Atletico performance under Simeone involves every individual player contributing to both attack and defence. Arsenal’s defence has been somewhat leaky over the years and to bolster the team’s physicality and organisation at the back would be job-warranting quality from the Argentine.
Manager Rating: 9.5/10Suitability: 8/10Likelihood of being Arsenal manager: 5/10
Steve Bould
Of course, as with anything in football, the solution could be staring us all right in the face. If Arsene does decide enough is enough, come the end of his contract next summer, then a far simpler, more practical replacement could be Steve Bould.
If it is defensive solidarity that we desire, then Bould is the idyllic candidate to tighten things up at the back, hailed as one of the most underrated defenders in the club’s recent history. During his time coaching in the academy, he secured back-to-back league titles in 2009 and 2010, meanwhile securing a cup title in the former year.
While pundits and fans alike have pointed the finger at Arsene Wenger and analysed all of his errors within an inch of their lives, Bould has been at the helm and seen it all, potentially even squirming in his seat in response to some of the Frenchman’s decisions. Now could be his opportunity to make his voice heard.
Manager Rating: 7.5/10Suitability: 9/10Likelihood of being Arsenal manager: 8.5/10
Joachim Low
A big advantage for Low in his speculated pursuit of the Arsenal job is his nationality - he would immediately click with the growing German contingent at the Emirates. Low knows stability and consistency like the back of his hand; the World Cup winner is currently in his tenth year as German boss and has always sought success in some form, despite the changing backdrop of international football.
The 56-year-old also knows how to deal with a group of big personalities, on an even more personal level than club managers perhaps, so his man-management is unquestionably impressive.
One factor acting against the German may be the fact he hasn’t plied his trade in the domestic game since the turn of the century with VfB Stuttgart, so it could take some time for him to make an impact at the Emirates.
Manager Rating: 8/10Suitability: 7/10Likelihood of being Arsenal manager: 6/10
Thierry Henry
The former-Arsenal forward may have only recently swooped in on a Belgian assistant managerial role and left the Arsenal coaching staff in the process, but this by no means rules him out of a permanent instalment in the Arsenal dugout.
Having only recently secured his UEFA A licence, the Frenchman needs to manage a side in order to get his UEFA Pro qualification and a stint with Belgium may allow this upgrade before he returns to the English capital to take charge of his beloved club.
Henry has proven himself as a pundit over the years and his tally of 228 goals for Arsenal is a club record; he is a Gooner through-and-through and was one of the most intelligent footballers of his day.
If he were able to transfer this football brain to the sidelines, he could very well be an asset to any club, why not to the one which made him the personality he is today?
Manager Rating: N/ASuitability: 8/10Likelihood of being Arsenal Manager: 5/10
