If not Guardiola who will replace Wenger at Arsenal?

I am not going to talk about the Arsenal transfer rumours linking us with the current Bayern Munich and former Barcelona manager Pep Gurdiola. And I don’t want to start another argument between the AOBs and the WOBs. But one way or the other and sooner rather than later the club is going to have to get a new manager.

It could be the most important decision they make for a decade or so, and the problems that we have seen with David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and many more highlights just how important the decision is. I have always liked the way that Arsene Wenger says he puts the club first and the fact that he will have a say in who will take over but did Fergie not say the same thing at Man United?

In my opinion Arsenal and Wenger will probably surprise us and appoint a manager we have never heard of, just like they did with the prof. But just for the sake of argument I am going to make my choice from people we know. Guardiola is the obvious choice but as well as thinking it unlikely I am a bit worried about what he could do with a team that was not full of the best players money can buy.

I like Ranieri and Ancelotti but they are not much younger than Wenger. We need a tactician and a man manager but I think we also need some fresh ideas rather than someone who just wants to keep Wenger’s plan going. Simeone is a thug, just like Mourinho. Maybe an Italian or a South American, but call me crazy if you like but I reckon a young Englishman would be perfect.

Paul Clement of Derby is doing very well in his first managerial role and before that he worked with top managers and players at Real Madrid and PSG. Could he be the man to replace the prof? Who would you like?