Arsene Wenger
Arsene Wenger left the world in shock as he decided to call it quits with the Gunners after almost 22 years of being at the helm.
The legendary manager has finally bowed to pressures all around, decided to cut his losses and move on.
A legend of the club no doubt with three Premier League titles, seven F.A. Cup and must I add the most successful manager in the Cup. There were lots of other achievements with Arsenal and it is evident he would be missed by not just fans of the club but by football lovers the world over as we await his next move.
Who replaces Wenger then? The big question is who to replace this man, but then actually is there really anyone to replace him? Lots of names have been thrown in mix from former Gunners like Patrick Vieira and Mikel Arteta, to experienced heads like Carlo Ancelotti and Massimiliano Allegri and the young firebrand, Nagelsmann as well as the not so young Brendan Rogers.
Looking at all these names mentioned, how on earth do you make a decision? Don’t worry I have the perfect idea. , You can call me super Sammy the football hero if you want to.
My idea is simple- Football Manager and yes you read right, Football Manager.
Football Manager Computer game would be perfect to pick his successor.
This game for me is the best way to decide who the best candidate for the job would be. First, Arsenal should invite every manager that feels he can get the job then lock them in separate rooms with a single computer.
A note should also be placed close to the laptop with instructions to open the application football manager select Arsenal and start up, with the person with the highest point after 19 games getting the job.
I can see guys like Julian Nagelsmann, Viera, Arteta and probably Brendan Rogers getting excited, while the older guys Ancelotti struggle to get a hand on things.
The game gives you a realistic view of things and if you can’t handle it, then how can you handle the real team?
If after this, there’s a tie then it’s only fair they go head to head with the play station, both select Arsenal and may the best man win.
Being Serious
Looking at the most prominent names it’s really a tight call. From the veteran, Ancelotti to the newbies it’s difficult to call but here’s my take on the top five names being tipped to replace him.
Carlo Ancelotti 58
Definitely one of the most decorated managers of this era as he’s basically been everywhere from Italy to Spain to England then Germany coaching the best teams in the land.
He says he wants the job and the lure to give it to him is obvious as he has a few fans in the Arsenal boardroom and also his CV speaks for itself.
But I don’t believe he is the best man for the job. If Arsenal want to rebuild, he’s not the man, if they want quick titles then of course they can go for him.
Living in London might work in his favour but I don’t see him taking A
rsenal to the next level.
Massimiliano Allegri, 50
The Italian is another person tipped to take the job as he has three Serie A titles with the fourth likely to come at the end of the season. He’s made it an open secret that he wants to manage outside Italy and this could be the perfect opportunity.
Let’s not forget he got a job similar to this when he took over at AC Milan, winning the title at the first time of asking but after then he struggled.
The man is tactically gifted no doubt, so could deliver titles but what about in the long run? He is not known for bringing up young players that would sustain the club but instead builds on experienced hands.
Don’t forget he and Wenger have something in common as both have lost in champions league finals and have never won the title.
Leonardo Jardim, 43
Jardim took Monaco to the title last season and despite the sale of key players this term, he has still managed to hold his own despite being beaten like a thief by PSG.
For me he has the quality I feel Arsenal could benefit from and he teaches his players to be brave and to fight.
Also tactically sound, he could be the man to lead Arsenal to their new chapter.
Patrick Vieira, 41
Former captain of the side, part of the invincibles team, hard man, scares the crap out of me and I’m watching from my living room, plus he also commands respect.
Considering the Madrid experiment with Zizou and AC Milan’s recent rejuvenation with Gatuso he might be a tempting option.
To me he lacks the experience, the MLS is just not good enough but he has a bright future and might even be coach of the gunners one day but not now.
Brendan Rodgers, 45
The former Liverpool manager who is famous for being immature and having the ability to over think things might just be an option for Arsenal.
At Swansea he did great things, also at Liverpool he did well enough. He is a tactical manager on his day with the ability to build and setup in a foundation for others to build on.
At Liverpool he turned the reds into a goal scoring machine and the Arsenal faithful will be excited by the type of football he plays.
He has something in common with Wenger who he is tipped to replace. If he is signed on, then he would be coming from a league with little or no pedigree.
CONCLUSION
Transition is never easy but the board and fans of Arsenal as a whole have make the decision to either try and win now or build a legacy that would last another 22 years.
But whichever they decide to do, patience is key and the road ahead would be difficult. And for the neutrals you might get another team to laugh at other than Manchester United.
