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Tag: Arsene Wenger

  • Massimiliano Allegri, Luis Enrique emerge favourites to replace Wenger

    Massimiliano Allegri, Luis Enrique emerge favourites to replace Wenger

    Arsenal want Massimiliano Allegri or Luis Enrique to replace Arsene Wenger but both candidates have concerns about taking the job because of the club’s management structure, according to Sky sources.

    Arsene Wenger bid an emotional farewell to the Emirates on Sunday ahead of his departure this summer and the search to find his replacement is well underway.

    Arsenal appointed a head of football relations (Raul Sanllehi) and a head of recruitment (Sven Mislintat) last year and the new manager would have to work closely with both.

    Allegri, who has two years left on his contract at Juventus, looks set to lead the club to a fourth successive Serie A title this season.

    The Italian is the favourite to succeed Wenger, while Carlo Ancelotti and Liverpool assistant coach Zeljko Buvac are also still among the front-runners.

    Former Barcelona manager Enrique is ready to return to the game after taking a year off following his departure from the Nou Camp last summer.

    Mikel Arteta has also been linked to the job. The former Gunners midfielder is working as an assistant to Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola.

  • Meet fresh contenders to replace Arsene Wenger at Emirates

    Meet fresh contenders to replace Arsene Wenger at Emirates

    Arsene Wenger has announced that he will be leaving Arsenal at the end of the season.

    Arsenal are struggling to qualify for next season’s Champions League with victory in the Europa League their only realistic route back into Europe’s premier club competition.

    But who could possibly replace him? Thomas Tuchel, Thierry Henry and Max Allegri are among the names who have been linked with the job by bookmakers.

    Here are five candidates whose management style could change the state of decay at Arsenal.

    Carlo Ancelotti

    Ancelotti has a wealth of experience with proven man-management skills who is unlikely to make the same mistake he made at Bayern, where he placed too much trust in established names.

    Those apprehensive of Ancelotti’s appointment point to fears he is a short-term manager whose appointment would herald a new era of frequent change, conforming with the trend at the other top six clubs in the Premier League.

    But the chance of taking on a bigger project of turning Arsenal back into Premier League title contenders would certainly appeal, and he would need no time to adapt to life back in London.

     

    Brendan Rodgers (Celtic)

    Rodgers has restored his reputation in just under two years at Celtic with the Glasgow giants on the brink of sweeping a treble of domestic trophies under the Northern Irishman for a second consecutive season.

    The 45-year-old’s three-and-a-half year spell at Liverpool ended on a sour note in October 2015 but he came as close as anyone to ending their 28-year wait for a Premier League title in 2013-14.

    Celtic’s major shareholder Dermot Desmond said on Friday he would not stand in Rodgers’ way.

    “I don’t think you can put handcuffs on anybody if they want to go to a club as good as Arsenal,” he said. “It will be Brendan’s decision and Brendan’s decision only.”

     

    Joachim Low

    A World Cup winner, Loew has resisted the temptation to swap international football for the rigours of day-to-day club management and is under contract with the German federation until 2020.

    Despite being one of the favourites for the job with the bookies, Loew’s chances are harmed by the fact he will lead Germany at the World Cup this summer.

    Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis conceded the club are likely to favour a quick appointment with an early end to the transfer window in August leaving just three weeks between the World Cup final in Moscow on July 15 and the closing of the window for Premier League clubs on August 9.

     

    Luis Enrique

    Luis Enrique enjoyed a successful spell as Barcelona coach

    A treble winner in his first season in charge of Barcelona in 2014-15, Enrique has enjoyed a season off after three gruelling campaigns at the Camp Nou.

    Those three seasons delivered two league titles and three Copa del Rey wins on top of the Champions League in 2015.

    Enrique is also interested in a move to the Premier League and would fit Gazidis’s claim that Arsenal want a successor to follow Wenger’s attacking style of play.

     

    Leonardo Jardim

    Jardim impressed as he guided Monaco to the Champions League semi-finals last season, and the Arsenal hierarchy have been keeping an eye on his situation ever since he masterminded the side’s win over the Gunners in the first knockout phase two years earlier.

    Monaco won the Ligue 1 title under his stewardship last term, but the summer exodus has left them miles off the pace in competing with PSG this time around.

    With the side holding onto second place, Jardim could be tempted to move on and his exciting brand of football would certainly get dissenting Arsenal fans out of their seats.

    The Portuguese coach has a reputation for nurturing young talent, but given a bigger budget at Arsenal, he would be able to combine the best products from the club’s youth academy with ready-made stars.

     

    Patrick Vieira

    The inspirational captain of Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ that went an entire league season unbeaten in 2003-04, Vieira is a symbol of the glory years under Wenger.

    Vieira won three league titles and three FA Cups during his playing days at Arsenal but has taken his first steps in management with another of his former clubs, Manchester City.

    The Frenchman took charge of City’s elite development squad for 18 months before joining New York City, part of a network of clubs around the world owned by the City Football Group.

    He led NYCFC to the MLS playoffs in each of his two full seasons in charge but lost out in the Eastern Conference semi-finals on both occasions.

    While popular with the fans, Vieira’s lack of top-level managerial experience would pose a huge risk in Arsenal’s attempts to re-establish themselves as a Premier League contender.

     

  • Breaking: Wenger sees defeat in last encounter with Manchester United

    Outgoing Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger witnessed another defeat in his last encounter with arch rivals Manchester United, with a last minute header from substitute Marouane Fellaini to secure the Reds 2-1 victory at Old Trafford.

    Henrikh Mkhitaryan appeared to have this young Gunners side in line for a point as his equaliser against his former side cancelled out Paul Pogba’s opener, but it wasn’t meant to be in the end as Wenger’s 28th and final Old Trafford visit ends in an 18th defeat at this hallowed ground.

    Wenger, presented with a gift by old rival Alex Ferguson before kick-off, rested the likes of Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette with an eye on Thursday’s Europa League semi-final, naming his youngest league XI since 2011’s infamous 8-2 loss at United.

    But although United’s attack was depleted by an injury that forced Romelu Lukaku off early in the second half, Jose Mourinho’s men came up with a later winner.

    Ashley Young’s inswinging cross from the left was perfect for Fellaini to rise highest in the box to flick home the decisive goal in the second minute of added time.

    A sixth successive defeat away from home in the Premier League will be irrelevant if Wenger can inspire a tunraround away to Atletico Madrid as United tighten their grip on second place in the table.

    Pogba failed to take advantage of an early chance but he made amends with the opening goal in the 16th minute.

    Lukaku floated a cross to the back post and, although Hector Bellerin deflected Sanchez’s header on to the post, Pogba was well placed to cushion in the rebound with a cushioned volley.

    Like Sanchez, Mkhitaryan was facing the club he left in January, and the Armenia international almost levelled with a drilled strike that flew just wide.

    Mkhitaryan and Maitland-Niles had penalty appeals rejected as United’s intensity dropped, allowing Arsenal into the game, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sent a poor header straight at David de Gea in the 36th minute.

    Ashley Young’s mishit cross rattled the post as United rallied at the end of the half, but the game had a strangely low-key feel, with little riding on the outcome.

    Lukaku limped off early in the second half after taking a knock to his ankle and Mkhitaryan – who refused to celebrate – promptly levelled the scores in the 51st minute.

    United allowed their former player too much space in midfield, Mkhitaryan finding the gap between Victor Lindelof’s legs to beat De Gea from the edge of the penalty area.

    A raft of second-half substitutions saw an already low tempo fall even further, although former United striker Danny Welbeck stung De Gea’s palms with an ambitious strike from range and Fellaini rifled a drive over the crossbar.

    United thought they had scored a late winner when Rashford bundled in on the line after Fellaini’s header rebounded off the post, but the offside flag cut short their celebrations.

    There was no stopping United in added time, though, Fellaini glancing in an excellent header from Young’s perfect centre to ensure Wenger would only leave Old Trafford with his present from Ferguson.

  • Arsenal: Patrick Vieira flattered to be seen as replacement for Arsene Wenger

    Patrick Vieira has welcomed talk of a return to Arsenal as a replacement for manager Arsene Wenger, who is standing down at the end of the season.

    The former Gunners midfielder is currently in charge of New York City and has led them to the top of the Eastern Conference in MLS after their best ever start to a season.

    His work in America – and the fact his contract expires in November – has led to suggestions he could be in the frame to replace Wenger at the Emirates.

    When asked about a potential return to Arsenal, Vieira told The Times: “I know what people are saying, and I’m really happy about that.

    “It’s an honour to be mentioned with Arsenal – I love the club. I played my best football there and made my name in the game.

    “I am always going to have a deeper relationship with Arsenal. That is not enough to coach that team but I’m ready to coach any side in Europe.

    “I don’t want this to be perceived that I want to go because I don’t want to leave. But, if the question is as simple as: “Are you ready to manage any teams in Europe?”, then I would say: “Yes. I am ready.”

    Vieira was brought to Arsenal by Wenger in 1996, and won three Premier League titles and three FA Cups before departing the club nine years later.

    The 41-year-old believes his former boss still has a future in the game, and also criticised some of the treatment Wenger has received from Arsenal fans.

    He said: “I think it is hard with the way he has been treated. I do understand that fans can get frustrated but they forget about yesterday. Fans live in the moment but that’s the world we are living in.

    “Arsene has been there for 22 years but how many times did he have the opportunity to go to coach bigger names than Arsenal yet never did because his priority was Arsenal? Sometimes fans forget that.

    “I don’t see him retiring at all. I think he’s still got the energy, love and passion to stay in the game. It was time maybe at Arsenal but I’m sure that he can rebuild something, somewhere.”

    Sky Sports

  • Updates: Gunners desperate to beat Atletico, lift Europa League for departing Wenger

    Updates: Gunners desperate to beat Atletico, lift Europa League for departing Wenger

    Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger faces a crucial match in his bid to leave the club on a high after over two decades in charge when they welcome Atletico Madrid in their Europa League semi-final first leg on Thursday.

    The Frenchman, 68, announced last week that he would step down at the end of the campaign after a drop-off in results in recent years and fan protests.

    Lifting a European title, with Arsenal only previously having won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1970 and the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994, would be a fitting finale for one of the great coaches in the game and it would also herald a Champions League spot for Arsenal.

    Their chances of returning to the Champions League via the Premier League are all but over with the Londoners labouring in sixth place.

    With a Europa League final against Marseille or Salzburg on the cards, the Atletico tie is arguably the toughest ask but Arsenal players want to honour their outgoing manager.

    “His story is unique so we want to give him the best possible send off because in one way we are responsible for the situation as well,” club captain Per Mertesacker told reporters this week.

    “We have to respect Atletico. They have reached Champions League finals in recent years so we need to respect especially the home game on Thursday. I would love not to concede in that game to put ourselves in the best possible position.”

    Wenger will hope to have Mesut Oezil, Petr Cech and Jack Wilshere available for the clash after all three missed the 4-1 win over West Ham at the weekend with minor injuries.

    Atletico coach Diego Simeone is among those to have been linked in the media with the Arsenal job and the Argentinian may also feel he is coming to the end of an era with the Spanish side.

    Fernando Torres leaves at the end of the season and media reports say Antoine Griezmann could join Barcelona. It makes the Europa League extra special for Atletico too, given they won this competition in 2010 and 2012.

    Simeone included Diego Costa in his squad to face Arsenal despite appearing to rule him out of the game when he spoke at the weekend.

    On Saturday, Simeone had said: “The doctors will be well informed but I think he has very little chance to play Thursday. He will be fit for the second leg but I don’t think he has much chance of playing the first game.”

    The former Chelsea forward did not join full training on Tuesday but he was in Simeone’s group of 20 players who made the trip to London.

    Costa strained his left hamstring against Sporting Lisbon in the quarter-final second leg two weeks ago and was left out of Sunday’s goalless draw with Real Betis.

    French forward Kevin Gameiro partnered Griezmann in training for Atletico on Monday and looks favourite to start if Costa does not make the XI.

    Elsewhere Simeone has everyone available apart from long-term absentee Felipe Luis. Lucas Hernandez will continue to deputize for the Brazilian left-back.

    Marseille will hope the cauldron that is their Stade Velodrome will help them build a big lead against Salzburg, this season’s surprise packages having eliminated Borussia Dortmund and Lazio.

    The French side have gone eight Europa League home games unbeaten but the sides met in the group stage and the Austrians took four points from the two games.

    The second legs are on May 3.

    dpa

  • Arsenal: Names of likely replacement for Arsene Wenger

    Arsene Wenger’s decision to finally step aside as Arsenal manager after 22 years in charge has sparked fevered speculation over who the Gunners will turn to next to succeed the Frenchman.

    Arsenal are struggling to qualify for next season’s Champions League with victory in the Europa League their only realistic route back into Europe’s premier club competition.

    However, with one of the biggest budgets in world football and a squad boasting the talents of Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the Arsenal job remains highly sought after.

    Here are five contenders to take over at the Emirates:

     

    Patrick Vieira (New York City)

     

    The inspirational captain of Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ that went an entire league season unbeaten in 2003-04, Vieira is a symbol of the glory years under Wenger.

    Vieira won three league titles and three FA Cups during his playing days at Arsenal but has taken his first steps in management with another of his former clubs, Manchester City.

    The Frenchman took charge of City’s elite development squad for 18 months before joining New York City, part of a network of clubs around the world owned by the City Football Group.

    He led NYCFC to the MLS playoffs in each of his two full seasons in charge but lost out in the Eastern Conference semi-finals on both occasions.

    While popular with the fans, Vieira’s lack of top-level managerial experience would pose a huge risk in Arsenal’s attempts to re-establish themselves as a Premier League contender.

     

    Brendan Rodgers (Celtic)

    Rodgers has restored his reputation in just under two years at Celtic with the Glasgow giants on the brink of sweeping a treble of domestic trophies under the Northern Irishman for a second consecutive season.

    The 45-year-old’s three-and-a-half year spell at Liverpool ended on a sour note in October 2015 but he came as close as anyone to ending their 28-year wait for a Premier League title in 2013-14.

    Celtic’s major shareholder Dermot Desmond said on Friday he would not stand in Rodgers’ way.

    “I don’t think you can put handcuffs on anybody if they want to go to a club as good as Arsenal,” he said. “It will be Brendan’s decision and Brendan’s decision only.”

    Joachim Loew (Germany)

    A World Cup winner, Loew has resisted the temptation to swap international football for the rigours of day-to-day club management and is under contract with the German federation until 2020.

    Despite being one of the favourites for the job with the bookies, Loew’s chances are harmed by the fact he will lead Germany at the World Cup this summer.

    Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis conceded the club are likely to favour a quick appointment with an early end to the transfer window in August leaving just three weeks between the World Cup final in Moscow on July 15 and the closing of the window for Premier League clubs on August 9.

     

    Carlo Ancelotti (unattached)

    Ancelotti has more experience of managing top European clubs than all the other pretenders put together and is believed to be keen on a return to London after a two-year spell as Chelsea boss between 2009 and 2011.

    The Italian has three Champions League titles to his name as a coach and has won the league in Italy, France, Germany and England.

    However, he was sacked by Bayern Munich in September and after Wenger Arsenal could be tempted to look for a younger coach than the 58-year-old.

     

    Luis Enrique (unattached)
    Luis Enrique enjoyed a successful spell as Barcelona coach

    A treble winner in his first season in charge of Barcelona in 2014-15, Enrique has enjoyed a season off after three gruelling campaigns at the Camp Nou.

    Those three seasons delivered two league titles and three Copa del Rey wins on top of the Champions League in 2015.

    Enrique is also interested in a move to the Premier League and would fit Gazidis’s claim that Arsenal want a successor to follow Wenger’s attacking style of play.

  • ‘One of the greatest’, Sir Alex Ferguson pays tribute to departing Wenger

    Departing Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been described as “one of the greatest Premier League managers” by former Manchester United coach, Sir Alex Ferguson.

    The 68-year-old Frenchman will leave at the end of the season after nearly 22 years at the club, 12 months before his latest contract was due to expire.

    Former Manchester United boss Ferguson paid tribute to his “professionalism, talent and determination”.

    Ex-Gunners striker Thierry Henry said Wenger leaves “an untouchable legacy”.

    Wenger won three Premier League titles and a record seven FA Cups, including the Double in 1998 and 2002.

    “I am pleased he has announced he is leaving at this stage of the season as he can now have the send-off that he truly deserves,” said Ferguson, who won 13 league titles in 26 years at Old Trafford, before retiring in 2013.

    “He is, without doubt, one of the greatest Premier League managers and I am proud to have been a rival, a colleague and a friend to such a great man.

    “It is great testament to his talent, professionalism and determination that has been able to dedicate 22 years of his life to a job that he loves.”

    Gunners goalkeeping legend Bob Wilson said Wenger was Arsenal’s greatest boss, and broke down in tears as he told BBC Radio 5 live how the Frenchman had helped his family.

    Wilson, whose 31-year-old daughter Anna died of a rare form of cancer in 1998, said: “I was there on the day he arrived and he is without doubt one of the three greatest men I have ever met in my life.

    “It is not just his football knowledge and the way he changed the game in this country but as a human being through difficult times for me and my wife.

    “Arsene is not only the greatest manager in Arsenal’s history, he has personally changed the face of the game in this country.

    “We had a team who enjoyed a drink and he changed everything about psychology, rehydration, training and everyone followed suit.”

    Club captain Per Mertsacker said he felt “sad and emotional” on hearing of Wenger’s departure.

    “There have been a lot of challenges, a lot of highs and lows, but how he went through tough times has taught me a lot about his character and about how to trust people and get the people in the right places to be successful,” he said.

    The Gunners are sixth in the league and set to miss out on a top-four spot for the second straight season, with their hopes of reaching the Champions League resting on winning the Europa League.

    Henry said it would be “an amazing achievement” if Wenger could sign off by winning a trophy.

    “His legacy is untouchable. Managers, fans from other teams – (they talk about) how Arsene changed Arsenal,” he told Sky Sports.

    Wenger had been under increasing pressure to step down from some fans having failed to win the league for 14 years.

    Former Arsenal midfielder Stewart Robson said he was like a “dictator” and should have left several years ago.

    “You can’t take away the good things when he came he changed the philosophy of Arsenal,” Robson told BBC Radio 5 live.

    “He was fantastic in that period but, like a lot of dictators, they think they are going down the right road – but even when people are saying you need to change, he wouldn’t change.

    “Arsenal under Arsene Wenger in the last few years have been too one-dimensional and behind the times in recruitment and physiotherapy. It is the best thing that could happen to Arsenal that he is leaving now.”

    Appointed on 1 October 1996, Wenger is the Premier League’s current longest-serving manager and has taken charge of a record 823 games.

    His team were dubbed “The Invincibles” in the 2003-04 season after going unbeaten in their title-winning campaign.

    BBC

     

  • Arsene Wenger decides to leave Emirates in the summer

    After nearly 22 years in charge of the Gunners, Arsene Wenger has announced that he will stand down as Arsenal manager at the end of the season.

    The 68-year-old took charge of the club in 1996 and guided them to three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups, although in recent years his record came under scrutiny.

    Pressure mounted on the former Nancy, Monaco and Nagoya Grampus Eight boss when he failed to lead Arsenal into the Champions League for the first time since 1996-97 last summer, and with the Gunners struggling to reach the Premier League top four once more, he has decided to call it quits.

    In a statement published on the club’s official website, he said: “After careful consideration and following discussions with the club, I feel it is the right time for me to step down at the end of the season.

    “I am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years.

    “I managed the club with full commitment and integrity.

    “I want to thank the staff, the players, the Directors and the fans who make this club so special.

    “I urge our fans to stand behind the team to finish on a high.

    “To all the Arsenal lovers take care of the values of the club.

    “My love and support for ever.”

    Meanwhile, majority shareholder Stan Kroenke expressed his thanks to the Frenchman for his service to the north London side.

    “This is one of the most difficult days we have ever had in all our years in sport,” he said. “One of the main reasons we got involved with Arsenal was because of what Arsene has brought to the club on and off the pitch. His longevity and consistency over such a sustained period at the highest level of the game will never be matched.

    “Wenger has unparalleled class and we will always be grateful to him. Everyone who loves Arsenal and everyone who loves football owes him a debt of gratitude. Three Premier League titles, including an entire season unbeaten, seven FA Cup triumphs and 20 successive years in the Champions League is an exceptional record. He has also transformed the identity of our club and of English football with his vision for how the game can be played.

    “We have high ambitions to build on Arsene’s remarkable tenure and to honour his vision by ensuring that Arsenal competes for and wins the biggest and most important prizes in the game.

    “We must now focus on making a strong finish to the season and ask our millions of fans around the world to join us in paying appropriate tribute to one of the greats of Arsenal’s history and one of the greats of the game.”

    Although the Gunners are out of contention for the top four, they can still reach the Champions League if they win the Europa League. However, they will have to overcome favourites Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals, and should they win that either Marseille or Red Bull Salzburg lie in wait.

    Arsenal, meanwhile, have indicated that they are currently working on finding a new manager and “will make an appointment as soon as possible”.

    Goal.com

  • Wenger warns players against complacency ahead of Europa clash

    Arsene Wenger admits Barcelona’s shock Champions League exit at the hands of Roma should act as a warning to his Arsenal players in Russia.

    The Gunners take on CSKA Moscow in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday, holding a commanding 4-1 lead from the first leg at the Emirates Stadium last week.

    While that result leaves Arsenal strong favourites to reach the final four, Barcelona surrendered the same advantage as they lost 3-0 at Roma to crash out of the Champions League on away goals.

    Veteran CSKA defender Aleksei Berezutski admitted the hosts would need a “miracle” to replicate Roma’s heroics, but Wenger still wants his players to head into the match with their minds on the job at hand.

    “It can happen in the game, that is why we love football, it is unpredictable,” he said.

    “In every game, everything is questioned again. It is new every time. We are in a position where I don’t think we are under threat of complacency, it is an important target for us to go as far as possible.

    “(Roma’s comeback) may be a warning for us but let us not go overboard as well. Yes, we have a big job to do but we are in a strong position and it is how we approach the game that will be vital tomorrow.”

    Defender Shkodran Mustafi echoed the comments of his manager and he feels Barcelona’s capitulation came at a good time for Arsenal as they are preparing for the second leg.

    “I think it came as perfect timing for us,” he said. “You are never safe especially when you win at home and have the away game, you have to be very careful how you show up.

    “I think the game that we saw yesterday was perfect timing for us to show us that we have to be really focused and really concentrated to finish off the job we did in the first leg.”

    Meanwhile Wenger, for the first time publicly, also conceded the Europa League is now taking priority over the Premier League as Arsenal seek a return to Champions League football next season.

  • Arsene Wenger scared of Mkhitaryan injury, out of Southampton game

    Arsenal coach, Arsene Wenger fears Henrikh Mkhitaryan could be out for a number of weeks with a medial knee ligament injury.

    Mkhitaryan was forced off in the 4-1 win over CKSA Moscow in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday.

    The midfielder will have a scan on Friday to assess the extent of the damage, but Wenger confirmed he will miss Arsenal’s game against Southampton on Sunday.

    Asked if Mkhitaryan could be out for a number of weeks, Wenger told Sky Sports News: “I fear yes, I hope I’m wrong.”

    Goalkeeper David Ospina will be out for up to three weeks, Wenger confirmed, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles is also unavailable for Sunday’s game.

    Alexandre Lacazette has not started a Premier League game in over two months, but played in place of cup-tied January signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in Arsenal’s Europa League game this week.

    Lacazette, 26, scored a brace in the victory, taking his tally to three in five days since his comeback from a knee injury.

    The £50m summer signing managed just three in his first four months with the club, but Wenger is confident there is room for both Lacazette and Aubameyang in his side.

    “Aubameyang I knew could play on the left,” said Wenger, who would not confirm if the pair will start on Sunday.

    “He played there a long time. They can play together through the middle, with Lacazette as centre-forward and Auba on the left, and with Auba up front and Lacazette behind. That’s an opportunity as well.”

    Sky Sports