Paul Merson urges Arsenal to become more realistic in their managerial search because they are no longer a big club.
Arsenal needs to be more realistic of their managerial targets as they look to replace Unai Emery, according to Merson.
The Gunners have been searching for a new manager since they fired the Spaniard and most of the world’s best managers have been linked to the job, but Merson believes the Gunners are not being realistic with their managerial targets.
He believes that the North Londoners are no longer one of the big teams and they will struggle to attract a world-class manager.
He dismisses the reports that Max Allegri is keen to become the next Arsenal manager and he also predicts that Carlo Ancelotti won’t stay on the job long enough to overhaul the team and make them better if he is made their next manager.
In his Daily Star Sport column, Merson said: “Arsenal are going to struggle to find a big name to replace Unai Emery because it’s just not that attractive a job any more.
“Freddie Ljungberg has found out just how much work there is to be done at that club. Without being horrible, their game against West Ham was one of the worst I’d ever seen for 60-odd minutes.
“I think they want him to do well, steady the ship, get through the season and not panic into getting a new manager.
“But they are not a top four club. And they don’t need a ten-minute fix, they need a long-term plan.
“They won’t be getting Brendan Rodgers now. There’s talk of Carlo Ancelotti but would he be there for four or five years? Probably not.
“And why would someone like Max Allegri take it? He’s just managed Juventus. This league has Liverpool and Manchester City in it and Arsenal have no chance of challenging them.
“Arsenal get beat this weekend. I said last week that United would test City, and they did. But I can’t see how Arsenal do.
“Will Freddie get it full time? No chance. I’d be shocked if that happens. I think they want a big name. But they might have trouble finding one.”
I simply cannot agree with Merson here, in fact, I am not even sure he believes what he writes. It has to be remembered that he is writing all this for the Daily Star. Do you honestly think they would keep employing him if he wrote positive things about Arsenal?
He has to make a living somehow I suppose.