Ivan Gazidis took to the stage yesterday in an odd press conference. He didn’t really give much information away when it came to specifics, but he did give a lot away about the thinking behind moving Wenger on now, rather than at the end of the season.
Here are the topline points he tried to deliver.
1. Arsenal moved Wenger on
There is no doubt that the move to find a new manager was sparked by the club, not the manager. The resignation was the nice way out. Reality is, Wenger could have taken us down two divisions and still not moved on voluntarily. Ivan was keen to impress this without saying anything. When asked about whether it was a mutual decision, he said, ‘I’m not here to talk about any private discussions.’
This part of the press conference was to tell the world he runs Arsenal football club moving forward.
2. The reasoning behind now
‘Our players, staff and fans are behind this great man and we will give him the send-off he deserves.’
Quite a simple one here. Ivan is telling the fans that nothing was saving him this summer, not even a Europa League win. He could see how the season was going to pan out, he could see the protests, the empty stadiums, the banners, so he stepped in to make sure Wenger’s last few games were special.
Parting company now allows the fans to pay their respects, it forces the players to buck up their ideas and try and win the Europa League, and it gives the club time to plan an immense last game for Wenger. Very smart, something we mentioned last year.
3. The reasoning behind now pt II
“We’ll have a process around that which begins today. I want to keep that process in house. In accordance with Arsenal values and out of respect for this man, we haven’t had any discussions today regarding that. I don’t underestimate the challenge of that. You don’t find a replacement for Arsene Wenger, you find a new path forward.”
The club wanted to start talking to prospective managers right this second, and they didn’t want Wenger to have to deal with questions about the rumours. You can’t talk to Allegri in private, it’d be classless of Arsenal to start doing that before Wenger was told of his future. From what I’ve been told, talks really haven’t started yet, how true that is, we’ll never know, but the public narrative is they want to start the process now. Again, a good move, and very thoughtful.
4. We have the people to make the next move work
“I doubt there is a more experienced group in handling coaching changes but having said all of that, this is a very unique situation and none of us have been through a coaching change, a managerial change that’s been like this. I recognise the size of the challenge but I think we have the resources, the people and the know how to make the best choice for the future of this football club.”
This part of the story perhaps leans into the ‘why’ of last season. I think Ivan is admitting he wasn’t prepared, so he’s basically spent this season getting his ducks in order to make the move. I’m not sure changing manager would have been disastrous last season, I just think most modern managers don’t want to do everything. Ivan let the deal for Wenger roll last season, then as soon as the window shut, he started making moves. Now we’re in a great position to advance our new agenda.
Also worth noting this, expect a lot of additions to the coaching staff. Wenger going sparks the end of his trusted lieutenants. Peyton, Primorac, Colbert… they’ll all be moving on and I’m sure we have been eyeing up some of the sharpest coaches in Europe to replace them. There will be an all-out progress assault on the club this summer, no doubt about that.
5. We are not hiring a king, we’re hiring a coach
“We have to go through that process. There is another value which I didn’t talk about which is young players. Our academy teams are doing extremely well. Under the radar we’ve got a lot of players coming through into our first team. Not just ones that you already know about, but the next generation as well. So that value of giving youth a chance is also very important to the football club. I think we’ve got to be open-minded and also brave in the decision. When Arsene was appointed, I don’t think he was on many people’s radar screens. And that doesn’t mean that we have to make an another appointment that not everybody is thinking about and talking about. But it does mean we need to be bold in the appointment and get the person that we believe is the right person.”
I think this section is very important, and it’s one I’ve spoken about at length when we talk about new managers. There are tiers to the types of coaches you can sign. The bigger the reputation, the more expensive they are, the more people they tend to bring with them, the more disruption they bring to the infrastructure.
Note this: The most important thing about the new coach is fitting into a structure that is controlled by the CEO. Call that weak, call that lacking ambition, but the simple reality is, we have suffered immensely from a manager who controls everything.
The club is clearly moving to a situation where power is decentralized among specialists. Expect to see that built out. Sven looks after player recruitment, Raul makes the business happens, the manager looks after the playing side of things. All work together to drive the club forward.
Allegri looks like the perfect name, but moving to Arsenal would be a step-down. He’s used to working in a very rigid structure (and you do so, because it’s Juve), but he might demand 20 of his people come with him if he moves to Arsenal, he might demand control of buying players, he might have an outsized ego because he feels he’s bigger than Arsenal.
We might look at a tier 2 manager. Someone who is at a smaller club, but has demonstrated big thinking, flexible approach, and the ability to coach young players. It’s hard to think of a manager better suited than Jardim. Arsenal would be a huge step up for him, so the club could maintain control of him, and he’d be comfortable working in a setup like the one we now have. He works with young players, he can play defence or attack, and he has a vision of how the game should be played.
Then you have the tier three managers. The balls out, ‘let’s see where this goes’ types of names. You’d be looking at Thierry, Vieira, Arteta and Nagelsmann in this category. Each have their unique special skill which could work out incredibly, each come with very big risks. I’m not sure Arsenal are settled enough to go this direction, but you never know, the LA Rams did exactly that last season and it worked out really well.
Also worth noting that sometimes it’s good to have a placeholder manager for a year. Someone who can lay the foundations, someone the players trust, someone the fans will get behind because they’re part of the club fabric, this move is one the club are interested in, but it’d be gutsy and hard to justify to a media who are already bleating on about Brendan Rodgers (Shut it Merson). I know that sounds like a weak worry, but look at how much shit the press gave Pep G, the greatest coach in the world, because he endangered the British press’s notion of how the game has to be played to win in the Premier League. A new coach might not be able to hack that.
So all in all, Ivan Gazidis has made the right decision. He’s taken control, he’s put his neck on the line and he’s done it with as much class as you can to a manager of 22 years.
I’ll save my wrap up post for Wenger for another day, but look, I can’t tell you how grateful I am to have witnessed his brand of football over the years. He’s a good guy, he loves the club, he just held on to the position far too long. The rest of the season is about celebrating his life’s work. The season is written off now, it doesn’t matter if we lose every single game. The #WengerOut battle is won, it’s taken ten years, but now the focus is what’s next. Let’s give him the send off he deserves. #MerciWenger
I couldn’t be happier. This blog was never meant to be a platform for moving Wenger on, it was always supposed to be one for exploring the best bits of Arsenal through the lens of a fan. Moving forward, nothing changes. We’ll still push on the club to do what’s right, we’ll still have a good old moan, but the new remit is about giving the new man a chance and making sure we all get back to being a united fan base who loves the Arsenal.
Remember, like moving to The Emirates, it doesn’t matter how bad things get, Wenger leaving is always going to be the best decision for Arsenal football club.
I’m so emotional about all this… cannot believe it happened. When I was in London! What a day.
Right, see you in the comments. Big love to you all! x
P.S. Here’s some of me on Bleacher Report, and below is me with Dan from Ballstreet with my hair full on holiday mode.
1st
2nd
Tro4hy
3rd
4
Tr4phy
One Arsene Wenger!!
Well done groovey
A day later and I can’t fight this feeling anymore…
Now that all you Wenger haters have got your wish Can’t wait for next year to tare into the so Called new structure that will yield nothing The blogger thinks everything was wengers fault Let’s see all the negative crap next season if or when Arsenal fail you lot will still probably blame Wenger lol Remember Wenger has done more for Arsenal then all you useless bloggers who think they know everything Gazidis is a chump and will not have Wenger to take all the flak For his fuk ups Next year it will be about kronke out Moronic Arsenal… Read more »
Thanks Akilan. It was a fluke really:-)
Thenry
So you were happy with the way the club was going , you were happy with this season and having wenger incharge ?
Thenry
You’re right that next season won’t be easy; after all, the new manager has to deal with the crap squad Wenger has built (despite having and spending tons of money).
Thenry, don’t get tears on your keyboard mate
What are we going to argue about and complain about now that Arsène ‘s gone?
Pedro
What’s kind of cool is that Arsenal is the main story, and will continue to be so throughout the summer.
..despite being in the mediocrity drop zone.
Lololol @ Thenry another butthurt Wenger lover. Hilarious.
Thenry you are an idiot I have been going to games since the 70’ s it was way overdue to have a change in diresction a blind man could see wenger was done 5 years ago, you go tell the Liverpool,spurs and city fans that having a young progressive manager does not work, I blame the board and Wenger for the last 5 years but I see a change coming and I am embracing it. Idiots like you with your backward thinking need to do one.
This is the problem with our fan base people like thenry still think Wenger was the answer deluded to the end. I was one of the season tickets holders that stayed away since December it hurt not to support my team but it had to be done to get the new era going, I am so optimistic about our club now. Interested to see if we can get a tune out of our youngsters and to see if iwobi, bellerin etc can go to the next level, To see if the new manger can get that extra out of Ramsey,… Read more »
What’s kind of cool is that Arsenal is the main story, and will continue to be so throughout the summer.
Here here
Allegri is the man for me.
There is a bit of George Graham in him I reckon. Good organiser, very disciplined and he and most importantly, a winner and he looks like an Arsenal man.
George was always immaculately dressed and had a presence about him, similar to Allegri.
I genuinely hope we sign a manager with reputation. Nothing against the young managers, but a guy like Allegri will make us instantly competitive. With Wenger we were always the underdogs against the big sides and kinda have an inferiority complex, not anymore. The build up to the games will get a lot more interesting. We may actually become contenders for once at the start of the season in the near future.
Alegri, sarri, or Jardim for me
Pierre “However, that doesn’t make it impossible to compete, look at Monaco last season, but the problem is holding on to the elite players as Liverpool have found difficult and spurs may have the same problem.” I’m sure we would all agree, though, that the one thing that is absolutely essential to being able to compete with externally financed clubs is getting top dollar for your stars if you’re forced to sell. Liverpool have routinely done this; if they’ve spent the proceeds badly (i.e post-Torres) then they only have themselves to blame, but they at least gave themselves the chance… Read more »
I would ban Michael24 for being an absolute plonker.
Here here THenry
I am looking forward to the name change of the blog to Los Grovos or La Grova depending on the nationality of the new manager!
“This blog was never meant to be a platform for moving Wenger on”… my arse!
Looks like P V has ruled himself out
God decision by him in my humble opinion
To clarify something for you Pedro, the Rams are not the team you make them out to be. They played in a weakened division and were ousted from the playoffs with little effort. This season will be a more telling one for them due to the fact that they will face tougher competition as a result of overachieving- thats how it works in the NFL, you get a garder schedule for winning. Lets have this conversation at the end of the year and see if your enthusiasm holds.
Ha Ha Ha ha. THenry . Draw it in, can you smell it ? That’s the scent of freshness and optimism which is blowing over the club. No matter what happens next it’s all good. Better to die trying n’ all that, than more of the same soul destroying Shit Wenger’s served up for years !! Anything is better than that. So Bring it on. All of those who smugly suggested we were delusional & the fraud is staying. HOW DO YOU FEEL? I think what you’ll actually find is that it’s yourselves who are pleasantly surprised at the clubs… Read more »
It was time for a change. What is critical moving forward is ensuring you have a manager that can compete and is tactical in their thinking. You have to move with the times and sadly Wenger struggled in this area – simply put, he ran out of innovative ideas, the kind that had him at the very top of the game early on in his tenure. I remain optimistic for the future, but would most assuredly prefer someone other than Gazidis making such a critical decision. As Pedro points out, he’s in the spotlight now, its his show – dont… Read more »
Some people worry we’ll have a bad season next year and the year after, better the devil you know they say. Should we ask them of they will be happy if the new manager gives us 6th place in the league?
A14
What’s wrong?
Can’t decide what side of the bed to get out of?!
Confused and angry are we?
Go and jump off something.
You know you want to.
#Merci wenger?
more like #fuckwenger
https://twitter.com/TheSuccessorAFC/status/986655871135559682?s=19
Interesting if true.
I really hope they hire Leonardo Jardim! Not the safest nor the balsiest move but absolutely the most sensible one.
It will be interesting to see if offers come flooding in for Wenger.
My bet is on PSG…. Probably on par with city as the richest club in the world… What a squad he would have to work with….
PSG.. Champions of Europe next year?
raptora
Wow, that’s some serious rumour mongering right there.
Allegri plus £150 million.
I read a good one on football 365.
Apparently if we get Enrique, arsenal have first dibs on Lionel Messi
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5639849/Luis-Enrique-set-Arsene-Wenger-Arsenal-end-season.html
Pierre
Any club with aspirations of competing at the top table, wouldn’t touch Wenger with a barge-pole.
@Gary – “Some people worry we’ll have a bad season next year and the year after, ”
And we were all but assured of that had Wenger stayed on. What’s your point?
Pierre
Are you for real???
This is quite poignant from ‘cashley’
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/ashley-coles-tribute-arsene-wenger-12401286
It was his departure that really marked the beginning of Arsenal’s decline for me.
@Pierre – Wenger will take on a director role for a national team. He’s been at the top with Arsenal, I can see him take on something at a national level.
Tuchel is already lined up for PSG.
I was waiting for David Brent to walk past in the the background of that video Gareth, sorry Pedro.
My bet is for Wenger to pitch up at Everton if he goes back into management and doesn’t go to France.
Comments like thenry’s are great to see, because they are a great reminder that “supporters” like him enabled the ongoing decline of Arsenal.
When thenry pours out such anger and hurt (and irrationality), it feels so good to read. I am glad he is sad. People like him made Arsenal a sad experience for me.
GoonerInNY
Exactly.
There all coming out of the woodwork today.
Michael24
Still so insecure that you can’t debate your own position, you just display total disregard for others and theirs.
You’re talking out your arse about what others believe because you’re unable to comprehend – there’s a few on here that take that approach.
Stick to your “facts” that you make up on a whim you bellend. See you at the Emirates when Fulham come calling ehh?
They’re
WTF are you wearing in that video Pedro, a pyjama top? Whomever told you that you were a sharp dresser was flat out drunk! Geez man, get a fashion sense already!
CC
How’s that chip on your shoulder.
Still weighing you down?
Arsene being paid out £11M for the final year of that idiotic contract. If he were truly walking away I’d think he’d leave that money
As much as we wanted this, we should speak more respectfully of Wenger. Among other things, at the top of his game, he was pursued by the biggest clubs, nations and thrown money at. He never wavered. For this and all the other moments of positivity he has brought to my life all these years, he has my respect and I will never gloat of this moment even though I too did feel it was time.
talk of Wenger to PSG as General Manager…
Pedro “There is no doubt that the move to find a new manager was sparked by the club, not the manager. The resignation was the nice way out. Reality is, Wenger could have taken us down two divisions and still not moved on voluntarily. Ivan was keen to impress this without saying anything. When asked about whether it was a mutual decision, he said, ‘I’m not here to talk about any private discussions.’” Ornstein’s post last night referred to it being a ‘genuinely mutual decision’ and if the board had laid the groundwork for getting in a replacement last summer… Read more »
the Rams are not the team you make them out to be. They played in a weakened division and were ousted from the playoffs with little effort.
Weakened division sure but they don’t just play teams in their division. 11-5 on the season the last game they didn’t put an emphasis on and there was certainly one or two more games they probably should have won should have been 13-3 on the season. Point is they were one of the stand outs last season and they’re an exciting prospect going forward
Wallace
We just don’t know. If he was pushed, Gazidis won’t admit it.
Overall, I’m sure there are plenty of things about Arsenal Wenger could divulge if he wanted to. I’m sure he’ll publish a memoir. I’ll definitely read it.
My bet is on PSG…. Probably on par with city as the richest club in the world… What a squad he would have to work with….
Absolutely no way they’re touching him. Not only is Tuchel going there but I’m not sure you go from 14 years without a title and 5th and 6th place finishes to managing one of the best clubs and ambitious clubs in the world. Not a chance
They are Marko, but this season will define the Rams future. If you’ve been a Rams fan at anytime you will understand.
Pierre
Are you for real? No top club will have any interest in Wenger whatsoever.
Allegri 150 million budget and he sells Xhaka and Mustafi? A dream come true?
This much is more than true. You dont go all season saying you will honour your two year contract and declare you are not leaving, then suddenly announce you are leaving halfway through – unless you were “nudged” to do so. Wenger may be many things to many people but this much is true, he’s a proud person who is not stupid. Better to leave on your own than to be fired from the job you dearly love. Wenger was given an honourable out and he took it. Any other explanation is simply not feasible if you have been following… Read more »
Wenger resigned because he was told he was going to be replaced this summer. This is obvious. He was just talking about honoring his contract and next season a couple of days ago. Look at the suddenness and abruptness and lack of ceremony involved. In no way was this a “mutual decision”. For all intents and purposes, Wenger was dismissed.
L’Equipe suggesting he would go in as DofF working with Tuchel
#NoMercyArsene
Geez Bamford, we cant be seen agreeing!
Wenger a DOF? Why would anyone want to hire someone who turned dithering into an art form?
Pedders Hmmm.. This sudden love in with Lazidis is a bit overboard. ——————- The club wanted to start talking to prospective managers right this second, and they didn’t want Wenger to have to deal with questions about the rumours. You can’t talk to Allegri in private, it’d be classless of Arsenal to start doing that before Wenger was told of his future. From what I’ve been told, talks really haven’t started yet, how true that is, we’ll never know, but the public narrative is they want to start the process now. Again, a good move, and very thoughtful. ——— Talks… Read more »
Overall, I’m sure there are plenty of things about Arsenal Wenger could divulge if he wanted to. I’m sure he’ll publish a memoir. I’ll definitely read it.
He had said he’d write a book about some of the things that happened. No doubt that he was talking at the time about Nasri and Fabregas leaving and no doubt he’ll pass the blame onto someone else. I would be more interested in what he had to say about the likes of Kallstrom being signed and what the fuck was up with Park Chu Young? Something definitely dodgy about that transfer
They are Marko, but this season will define the Rams future. If you’ve been a Rams fan at anytime you will understand.
Eagles baby
Yes Marko, the title of Wenger’s book will be “Blameless: A Life of Devout Perfection”
Damn you, Marko!
Wallace
That would be ironic: a few months after claiming he doesn’t know what a “Director of Football” does, he is made Director of Food all at PSG!
If a Director of Football actually did nothing, as Wenger thought, then that would in fact be a perfect role for him.
In truth, any club that is interested in succeeding in football today should not want anything to do with Arsene Wenger whatsoever.
I would be more interested in what he had to say about the likes of Kallstrom being signed and what the fuck was up with Park Chu Young? Something definitely dodgy about that transfer
———-
Football is dodgy period.Elite sport is dodgy.High rewards,high risks entails high dodginess..Period!
Could tell you some stories..
L’Equipe suggesting he would go in as DofF working with Tuchel
That’s fucking hilarious. Would you trust him with signings? Identifying players? I don’t even think he knows what a director of football does
* Football (damn you, autocorrect!)
Marko
As I said above, he explicitly said that he has no idea what a Director of Football does. The guy is so fucking clueless.
We’ll always have this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44TrRB4PkXI
The guy is so fucking clueless.
———
Yep,that’s what the reflection in the mirror is telling you.
Squad rebuilding in the summer will be very interesting.
Can’t wait to see how it will span out
Pedro- excellent and classy article- well done.
you arm chair gooners….piss off
danimax
yep, lots of work to do
And it happened 420 here…still on a high….
You get the idea this wasn’t just something they decided the day before yesterday so maybe there is something to the links to Dembele. And Allegri was supposed to be taking English lessons a while back so he does have intentions of managing in England. I always assumed Chelsea but maybe not
It was 420 and all
I don’t think Wenger will write a memoir, as it will be impossible now to make such a memoir serve his vanity and pride. If he were to write a memoir, however, he wouldn’t know whether he should listen to his ego, tell the truth and claim he was right all along — but in the process expose that he was wrong all along — or lie, make things up and pin the blame on others. In the end, this dilemma will keep him from writing such a book in my opinion. Not to mention, all of the hagiography of… Read more »
Is anyone surprised that long-dormant AKBs are now popping out of the woodwork demanding respect for their now shit-canned leader?
For fuck’s sake, there were even Italians who cried after Mussolini got put in front of the firing squad. Of course, they were known as “collaborators”, and not AKBs. And we all know how things worked out for them.
Classy my arse. How could you force a guy to walk a plank for the next four weeks. Knowing he will be under immense scrutiny from the press,commentators,fans,etc,etc.. Every pre-match interview,he will be asked about his plans after Arsenal. Whether he walked,was sacked,or was the parting of waves based on mutual consent. The humiliation for this guy,for the next four weeks,will be untold(hahaha). He’s being hung,drawn and quartered,for public consumption. And then Lazidis,states-to paraphrase” We will feel the whole force of the Arsenal family behind him.” With no appointment in place.? Oh my..What a sorry state of affairs. This is… Read more »
So the Emirates bunker has been breached and the old fraud has swallowed the cyanide pill.
I can’t helping laughing still, me hearties, how Wengersaurus dressed up being fired at the end of the season as a heroic resignation.
Now get me some rum, laddies. Time to fly the skull and crossbones again and set sail again.
Who do people like in today’s FAC semifinal between United and Spurs?
Michael24
Chip on my shoulder because you say so? Been here before. Another one of your facts mate?
Banford
Funny how Gazidis was “toeing the company line” when you commented on his statements to the press. But Wenger should apparently be taken as gospel whenever he chirps up in a press conference? How embarrassingly transparent you are..
The last 24 hours have clearly identified fans that wanted change vs those that have a fixation with Wenger. He’s gone and you’re desperate to play Chinese whispers about every detail of it. You’re ‘Arsenal not Arsène’. 🙂 clearlyyyy hahah
April 21, 2018 12:36:52
I don’t think Wenger will write a memoir, as it will be impossible now to make such a memoir serve his vanity and pride. If he were to write a memoir, however, he wouldn’t know whether he should listen to his ego, tell the truth and claim he was right all along — but in the process expose that he was wrong all along — or lie, make things up and pin the blame on others
————
So,when are we seeing your book in print.Can’t wait for your memoirs..:-)
Salah scores again, on an assist from Oxlade-Chamberlain. 31 PL goals for Salah.
Whilst the news of AWs departure has been a long time in the making and as most agree long overdue the delay and indeed the terrible transfer activity conducted by the club for me isn’t going to be reversed by the appointment of a new coach you can’t make a silk purse and all that. The squad has been constructed for and by AW. It is unbalanced , lacking in depth and quality and is going to cost an absolute fortune to reverse. It seems pretty clear that the next appointment will be a head coach as opposed to manager… Read more »
One Arsene Wenger;
There’s only One Arsene Wengerrr
For Wenger Avaricious, only money talks. He gets 11 million for moving out.
No wonder
http://metro.co.uk/2018/04/21/arsenal-reward-arsene-wenger-mammoth-pay-off-quitting-gunners-7485914/
Double Kayo if true
http://metro.co.uk/2018/04/20/arsene-wenger-dismayed-arsenals-board-ultimatum-7485030/