Increasing Rumours about Eddie Howe taking over! by AH
There has been an increase in rumours this week surrounding the position of Arsene Wenger and his future at Arsenal. Although there seems no reason behind the increase, it has been anticipated that this season could well be the Frenchman’s last campaign in charge of the Gunners, with Le Prof in the final year of his contract.
Wenger has maintained that he will not look to engage in new contract negotiations with Arsenal until the end of the season. It entirely depends on how the Gunners do this year and seemingly if Wenger feels if he can take this club any further. There have been a few hints that he may have already made his mind up to leave at the end of the year, based upon some of the suggestions about his future, however it all remains unconfirmed.
With his future being up in the air, of course the media is going to start wondering who will be next in line for the Emirates hot seat. There were some links to the Borussia Dortmund boss last week, whilst rumours surrounding Diego Simeone and Joachim Low continue to be persistent. Whoever is picked to take up the reigns at Arsenal post Wenger, one man who must surely be the favourite is Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe. Howe has been linked with the role since last season and it seems as if based upon what Bournemouth have suggested, perhaps Howe has been contacted regarding a possible new management opportunity.
The Bournemouth chairperson Jeff Mostyn has claimed that Howe will undoubtably have speculation linking him elsewhere, primarily because of the success he has achieved during his time on the south coast. Mostyn said: “We have a man of immense talent and any man of talent, whatever business you are in, is always going to be sought after. We see that very much as a compliment. But Eddie is a Bournemouth boy through and through. He has been with the football club since he was ten.
There is unfinished business. He wants to ensure that if and when he does move on he will leave a legacy. A legacy that will ensure AFC Bournemouth are a Premier League side, not a side that is aspiring to retain its position every year.
He has made it clear that over the next two or three years hopefully we can establish ourselves as a thoroughbred Premier League side and only then would he consider moving on.”
If Arsenal truly are interested in appointing Howe’s services as a manager, then it seems that it may not be so easy to see Bournemouth part ways with their main man. Surely however, an approach from Arsenal would take a lot of consideration and it would certainly be difficult to turn down.
Despite still being very young for a manager in the top flight division, Howe has plenty of experience being in charge of a side. Howe, who is 38 years old, has been in football management since 2008 and has led Bournemouth from League Two to the Premier League, over the course of two spells with the Cherries.
Would Howe be a good candidate for the Gunners, or should we be targeting a manager with more experience at the highest level of competitive football? Don’t forget, Arsene Wenger was pretty much unknown to us all back in 1996.
By AH