When long-serving French manager Arsene Wenger finally left his post as the head coach of Arsenal football club, the entire fan base rejoiced in excitement. The Gunners assumed that the mediocrity was coming to a close, and that the new manager would liven things up again at the Emirates Stadium. It was the mindset of most fans, owed mostly to the fact that Arsene’s last couple of years at the club can only be labelled ‘a nightmare’.
The Frenchman’s decision to step down wasn’t voluntary, instead, it was called for by the majority of the Arsenal support. The manager branded ‘The Europa League Specialist’ – Unai Emery was selected as his successor and appointed as the head coach of Arsenal. Since then, the club has been stuck in a rut, one which from the outside, looks much worse than the one Arsene Wenger caused.
Despite being allowed to spend two full summer windows working on his team’s structure, Arsenal still look like the unassuming and rather ‘innocent’ team, incapable of really troubling the big guns in the league. The Gunners fans should’ve realised that the Spaniard wasn’t the man for the job when he failed to deliver the Europa League trophy last season – the very tournament that made him the respected manager he is today.
According to a recent report by the Daily Express, Arsene Wenger left Unai Emery a parting gift in the form of Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. It has been suggested in the report that without the talismanic striker’s presence up front, Unai Emery would be long out of a job. Another report by the Telegraph, also claims that the Gunners chiefs are ready to pull the plug on the Spaniard at the end of the season.
Let’s take a look at five managers who are currently out of a job, who could take over from Emery at Arsenal:
Massimiliano Allegri
The former Juventus and AC Milan manager has never really managed outside of Italy, making him a slightly risky option for the Gunners. With that said though, few managers in world football boast the same tactical knowledge as the Italian, who has vast experience in what is arguably the most tactical league in the world. He has been out of a job since last summer, and could be a good option if the Gunners are looking to build from scratch again.
Jose Mourinho
Quite possibly the most exciting possibility on this list, the thought of Jose returning to the Premier League, to manage Arsenal of all clubs, would be the stuff of dreams for any Gunners fan. Considering the rivalry between the Portuguese and Arsenal’ former French manager, this could make for an exciting prospect. Although his last spell at Manchester United wasn’t a very successful one, Jose has won 3 league titles in the past – a point he made sure everyone remembers over the last few years.
Mikel Arteta
The Spaniard has been an assistant coach to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City for four seasons now, and he is sure to have picked up a few tips from the manager, during their recent romp to the Premier League title. Although the Spaniard’s name was suggested before Emery took over as well, the experience he has gained over the last two seasons will be invaluable. Arteta spent the last few years of his playing career at the Emirates and has undeniably formed a good bond with the Gunners faithful.
Luciano Spalletti
Another manager who’s entire experience has been in the Italian Serie A – Spalletti could be an extremely safe bet for the Gunners. In the last 15 years of professional management, his average points per game record of almost 2, make him an excellent option for Arsenal. His stint at Roma showcased the tactical mastermind’s ideas in the best way possible, and although he left Inter Milan earlier in the year, he wasn’t doing too bad of a job.
Quique Setien
The former Real Betis manager has been out of work for a while, despite being featured by multiple top football sources for his unique style of play. Often seen utilising a 3-4-2-1 formation, he is an extremely technical manager who demands a brand of aesthetically pleasing football. His time at Las Palmas and Betis have shown that his ideologies are set in stone, meaning that he might not be the best option in terms of the versatility that the Premier League demands.
