There has been plenty of talk about the managerial position that is quite likely to be left at Arsenal at the end of the season, with many believing that this will be Arsene Wenger’s final year at the helm.
After 20 years of Arsenal, having joined back in 1996, it is understood that Wenger may finally choose to step down as Arsenal’s manager this season. That of course means that the Gunners will need a new manager to fill the void and legacy that Arsene Wenger has left behind as a result of the past 20 years of Arsenal football club. No matter what your opinion is of Le Prof, you have to admit that he will leave a legacy at this football club and whoever gets the managerial job will have a big position to fill.
Arsenal’s most linked candidate for the job seems to be Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe, although there have also been links to Atletico’s Simeone and Germany’s Low. Howe however seems to be the favourite, although he is still yet to convince former Arsenal player Ray Parlour.
In a Sky Sports report, Parlour was quoted as saying: “He has certainly done a great job [at Bournemouth], but I just think it maybe a little bit too big for him at this time of his career. I think he has to go to the next level after Bournemouth, maybe like an Everton, or someone like that who is going to be challenging for the top six. And then maybe move to the top four level, but Eddie has done nothing wrong and he is learning the game still and about players and systems and the way to play.”
I must admit I do see Parlour’s point and although Howe has achieved plenty of success on the south coast, leading the club from the depths of League Two to the Premier League since he took the job in 2008, perhaps he wouldn’t be ready for a top job in club football, as well as on the European stage. But in my opinion, Arsene Wenger was also a relatively unknown quality when he came to Arsenal in 96 and so perhaps Arsenal will stick with their approach for the Bournemouth boss.
Parlour however reckons that the other name being linked with Arsenal, Diego Simeone is far more suited to the Gunners situation. Parlour said: “Certainly in a few years’ time, maybe he [Howe] will be a good fit, but at this current time maybe a [Diego] Simeone might be more suited to Arsenal when Arsene Wenger does call it a day.”
If the likes of Simeone or Low were to join Arsenal it will be a major sign of intent and having such a manager at the helm would keep the Gunners on the board of having an elite manager alongside the likes of Conte, Guardiola and Mourinho. However realistically I’m unsure if either of those names would be up for joining Arsenal. Low may fancy a change of scene and move into club football and at Arsenal he could implement the same tactics that have brought Germany such success in recent years. Diego Simeone on the other hand has built a project at Atletico and made them a more competitive side alongside Real Madrid and Barcelona, leading them to domestic success as well as positioning the club as a major European force. There’s no doubts about the qualities of both managers, but I still wouldn’t be surprised if Arsenal make Howe their prime candidate for the position, solely based upon availability come the end of the season.
By AH