Arsenal’s Unai Emery was not in long following Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino out of a Premier League job. While Arsenal’s North London rivals were quick to bring in Jose Mourinho as a replacement, Arsenal look as if they are going to bide their time in having put Freddie Ljungberg in as temporary manager.
There was almost an air of inevitably about Emery’s departure from Arsenal. A Thursday night Europa League home defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt pushed him out of the door. That was after Arsenal had grabbed a last minute equaliser at home in the Premier League against Southampton on the weekend.
Next Arsenal Manager Odds*
Massimiliano Allegri Even Money
Freddie Ljungberg 5/1
Mike Arteta 5/1
Nuno Espirito Santo 7/1
Mauricio Pochettino 7/1
Carlo Ancelotti 12/1
Rafael Benitez 16/1
Patrick Vieira 20/1
Bruno Genesio 20/1
Eddie Howe 25/1
Bar 33/1
*(betting odds taken from Bet365 on November 29th, 2019 at 7:14 pm)
Nuno up for grabs?
Even before Emery had the push, there was speculation that Arsenal’s target could be Wolves’ Nuno Espirito Santo. It has been some reputation that the Portuguese has built for himself with the West Midlanders. He would have a lot of appeal for a lot of clubs, but how realistically would he leave Wolves, a project he has shaped and moulded so well, and how keen would Wolves be to let him go? Not very likely and he is a 7/1 option in the Next Arsenal Manager market*(betting odds taken from Bet365 on November 29th, 2019 at 7:14 pm).
Allegri the right man for the job?
The man sitting as the bookmakers favourite is a proven winner. Former Juventus manager Max Allegri has been out of work since the end of last season and is someone ready to go. He has the big title-winning factor that Nuno certainly doesn’t have. But then Allergi has no managerial experience outside of Italy and he has largely been someone who targets and works with big-name players. Mercenary types if you like, towards the end of their careers. It’s not exactly Arsenal’s style and a language barrier could be an issue.
Is Ljungberg good for more than just a temporary role?
There is, of course, the possibility that Arsenal lean on Ljungberg at least until the end of the season. They could treat him like Manchester United treated former player Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Ljungburg knows the club inside out and was Emery’s assistant so the transition should be pretty smooth though. He has no managerial experience at this level but has worked as a manager of a couple of Arsenal’s youth teams.
Will the Gunners consider Pochettino?
This would be something. Having just been sacked by Arsenal’s great North London rivals Spurs, Mauricio Pochettino is available. Arsenal fully well knows what he did for the Lilywhites in his five and a half years with them, including getting them to the Champions League Final last season. He has the approach in a style that would be a perfect fit for the Arsenal ethos. Even though he worked for their rivals, Arsenal could do a lot worse than speaking to the Argentine who is the same price at 7/1 as Nuno*(betting odds taken from Bet365 on November 29th, 2019 at 7:14 pm).
Other contenders
There was a lot of talk about current Nice boss Patrick Vieira following the departure of Emery. Former Arsenal great Vieira is a fan favourite at the club and would be welcomed back with open arms. But then Arsenal will be looking at what he had achieved with Nice this season and that is very little. They aren’t far above the drop zone in Ligue 1.
Rafa Benitez is out there, having taken a job in China after getting sacked by Newcastle at the end of last season. He still has his family in England apparently and would probably be open to a quick return if a big job opened up for him and the Spaniard does have a winning track record. He may cost a pretty packet to buy out of his big-money contract however.
Manchester City assistant boss Mikel Arteta is a former Arsenal player and his name was touted around when Arsene Wenger left the club. But he didn’t step in there, and the job went to Emery. He’s been by Pep Guardiola’s side now since 2016 and he doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to step away from that position.
Carlo Ancelotti may not be a bad outside punt at 12/1*(betting odds taken from Bet365 on November 29th, 2019 at 7:14 pm). Things have turned sour at Napoli this season and could be someone Arsenal could turn to.
Next Arsenal Manager Prediction
Who takes over at Arsenal? Emery was supposed to be a long term resident at the Emirates, just as Wenger was. That hasn’t panned out and this is going to be fascinating to see where Arsenal turn. The Gunners like an attractive style of play. They don’t really go crazy in the transfer markets and run a tight financial ship. Who fits the bill for all of that?
The Gunners are eight points outside of the current Premier League top four and need something fresh but keeping within the way they like to run the club. Pochettino checks a lot of boxes really in what Arsenal would be looking for. He looked as if he needed a break, however, while Nuno is unlikely to leave Wolves.
There is no real appeal for Arsenal in sticking with Ljungberg or bringing in Vieira without proven managerial experience. So the man for the job could well be Allegri and his arrival would keep the fans pretty happy. A man with a track record. but don’t discount them going left-field again and looking at Bruno Genesio the former Lyon boss currently working in Beijing*(betting odds taken from Bet365 on November 29th, 2019 at 7:14 pm)
