A few things in life are certain: the sun rising in the east, Donald Trump making yet another mistake in the eyes of the liberal left and a debate over the decision of sacking Arsene Wenger as the manager of Arsenal Football Club. The Frenchman arrived at North London during the wet, grim month of October back in 1996. He has spent 21 years at the club now and a reign that began with great pomp and glory has been starved of joy and peace in the last decade or so.
As trophies began to dry up, questions over Wenger’s ability to lead the club began to rise. The debate has now become an age-old issue, with the board turning a deaf ear to a large section of their own fans by offering the Frenchman a new two-year contract at the end of last season.
Trophies or not, it seems the board loves the accountant in Wenger, who has brought the club huge revenues and profits despite the club shifting from Highbury to The Emirates.
Latest reports coming out have stated that Wenger’s newest threat is none other than the Italian tactician Carlo Ancelotti.
So What Makes Ancelotti A Good Replacement?
Serial-winner:
The Italian mastermind has managed in multiple countries and proven his calibre almost everywhere. He has won the league in Italy, France, England and Germany with different styles of football and has also captured the prized asset of the Champions League with Real Madrid and AC Milan.
Premier League Winner:
In his two year reign at Chelsea, he won the title once. His Chelsea team, that won the league, produced some scintillating attacking football and the Blues scored a record 103 goals in 38 league matches that season on their way to the title. He also completed the domestic double that very season with Chelsea winning the FA Cup.
Champions League Expert:
It is no mean feat winning the Champions League. So a man who has done it not once but twice and that too with two very different albeit world-class teams should know a thing or two about the competition.
Winning-mentality:
Known for his ability to maintain calm, cohesive dressing rooms and at the same time imbibe a certain winning mentality, Ancelotti would be perfect to add that sharp winning edge to the Gunners’ dressing room, something Wenger has been unable to do recently.
Although Ancelotti has said that he will not consider returning to management this season, an opening for the top job at The Emirates might just tempt the Italian into an early return from his exile. However, the one tiny factor of removing Wenger from the office might not prove to be so easy for Arsenal; the Frenchman simply loves his job.
