When would it be best to replace Wenger? by AndersS
No matter, whether one want Wenger out asap or want him to stay, I think we can all agree, that sooner or later, we will have to get a new manager.
In theory, Wenger could be here many years from now, but I will consider it highly improbable that he will still be managing into his mid-seventies. So even if Wenger stays past this season, we would be looking at maybe maximum another 3-4 years, during which we would have to replace him.
Yes, I know, for those of us wanting him out asap, 3-4 years seem like an eternity. But that is not my point.
My point is, that even if you are a sworn “Wenger forever fan”, you would actually have to face the reality of a new manager, at least within the next few years. And once this is accepted a real fan would also consider, when might be the best time to change.
If you put the club’s interest first, and not when it might be best for Wenger personally, I doubt there could be a better time than after this season.
It is obvious, we are miles from being able to compete for the major trophies; PL and Champions League. It probably would take a major rebuilding, at least of the defense (incl. goalkeeper) to make us competitive.
How long will that take? I don’t know, but I doubt it is realistic, we can compete with the best next season. We are more looking at hoping for an improvement, that could put us back into top 4, which would be a huge step forward from where we are right now. No matter, whether we will go on to win the Europa League this year. The season has proved how far we from competing in a “proper” league competition.
Is it the best timing to give Wenger the job to make that step? Personally, I think there is no chance he can do it. But even, if you have the opinion, he can do it, would it be clever to let him try?
The official status is, that he has a contract, that includes next season. If he both manages to keep his job for next season and to get us back to top 4 (I count making us champions as completely out of the equation), we would then in a years´ time, have to ask, what now? Should Wenger then be given even more years? Why, because he can take us even further than back into top 4 of the PL in the next 2-3 years after next season and maybe make us champions when he is 73-74?I am sure very few, if any, consider that scenario realistic.
So, if we can agree, that Wenger will not take us all the way back to the top, we can concentrate on, when it would be best to get a new manager. I say in a few weeks.
The rebuilding that is so obviously needed should be left to a man, who might be able to take us back to the top. It is not a good idea to let a man, who will have to leave within the very next few years, start rebuilding. Even those, who think he could do it, should understand it.
On top of that, we have a situation where the majority of fans are so discontent, it is a joke. Can Wenger change that, if he stays? I don’t think so. The discontent is so widespread and so deepfelt, that it affects attendance and support in a major way, and in effect making the job even more difficult for Wenger and the players. However, this part of the equation could actually be solved in an instant with a new manager. It would create a huge lift in spirits for most fans, if Wenger stops now.
So my question is – why wait? Could there be better time within the next few years to get a new manager than now?
AndersS