With Unai Emery axed after a poor run of results, we’re tracking the Arsenal next manager odds to see who is expected to succeed him.
Emery replaced Arsene Wenger in May 2018 but was unable to take the club back to the Champions League, finishing fifth and losing the Europa League final to Chelsea.
The start of this season has proved a challenge and a club statement read: “The decision has been taken due to results and performances not being at the level required.”
Here are the leading contenders to now take charge of the Gunners and their next Arsenal manager odds:
FREDRIK LJUNGBERG @ 5/2
Ljungberg was confirmed as interim head coach following Emery’s sacking. The former Sweden international has worked as an assistant to Emery, after being promoted during the summer from his previous role as the manager of the club’s under-23 side. That experience means he knows all about the promising crop of youngsters emerging through the ranks and he could be tasked with replicating the early work done by Frank Lampard at Chelsea in bleeding those precocious talents in the first team.
NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO @ 3/1
The Wolves boss was initially linked to the Arsenal post as pressure on Emery began to mount. The Portuguese did a fine job in taking Wanderers back to the Premier League and then qualifying for the Europa League at the first attempt, establishing the west Midlands side as one of the ‘best of the rest’ in the top flight. Santo, 46, has previous experience of managing at Valencia and Porto but did not enjoy lengthy, successful spells with either and his credentials at a top club remain untested.
MIKEL ARTETA @ 9/2
Arteta enjoyed a fine career as a ball-playing midfielder before hanging up his boots in 2016 after five years with the Gunners. In a somewhat surprising move, he departed for Manchester City, where he became Pep Guardiola’s trusted right-hand man – helping the club win back-to-back Premier League titles. He has yet to sample life as a head coach but his appointment would be welcomed by Arsenal fans given his connection to the club and his obvious standing within City’s fine backroom set-up.
MASSIMILIANO ALLEGRI @ 7/1
After a fairly run-of-the-mill playing career, former midfielder Allegri blossomed into a serial trophy winner as a manager. The 52-year-old Italian departed Juventus at the end of last season having delivered the Serie A title in each of his five years at the helm, also claiming four Coppa Italia winners’ medals and losing in two Champions League finals. Bringing in Allegri would certainly be seen as a signal of intent, but could he be tempted into a rebuilding job, or is he waiting to take over at a club ready-made to add more silverware to his CV?
MAURICIO POCHETTINO @ 9/1
Currently available after being dismissed by Arsenal’s arch-rivals Tottenham but surely crossing the north London divide would be too much of a stretch?
CARLO ANCELOTTI @ 9/1
The 60-year-old has a superb CV which includes stints with AC Milan, Juventus, Chelsea, PSG, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Currently doing well with Napoli, but may be tempted by a return to the bright lights of London.
PATRICK VIEIRA @ 12/1
Captain of Arsenal’s unbeaten ‘Invincibles’ and a man still adored by supporters, Vieira would be an overwhelmingly popular appointment. He has been steadily building up to such a job having managed Manchester City’s reserves and New York City before taking his current post at Nice last summer. Vieira guided the French club to seventh in Ligue 1 in his first season at the helm but surely a return to the club where he won three Premier League titles and three FA Cups would be an opportunity he couldn’t resist.
Join bwin today and receive up to £10 money back as a FreeBet if your first wager at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater is a loser! Terms and conditions apply.
