No sooner had I thrown the white towel in on the managerial race, than old Duncan Castles chimes in with a piece for The Sunday Times in which he declares the exec suite at Arsenal see Enrique as an inappropriate hire due to his money demands and his self-absorbed style of management.
That my friends, if true, is music to my ears.
Every manager who is linked to Arsenal needs a special superpower, for the life of me, I couldn’t work out what his was. Sure, he’s a good manager, but is he great? What could he bring to a broken group of players with very little money? I wasn’t sure…
The weird part about the story is the club are apparently interested in Sarri. I don’t quite get that. I mean, the guy creates masterful football, but he’s also an accused racist and homophobe. I’m not sure that alligns with the values of the club.
So that leaves the field shrinking.
My gut feel is this.
Ivan G wants to hire in Arteta, but that’s a massive risk and it’d take balls of steel to make a decision like that. The fans don’t love Arteta like they’d love a Vieira. I think most would see his hire as a mistake. It’d be an interesting move, but it’s not quite the same as Pep to Barca or Zidane to Madrid. I think it’d be a pretty exciting hire, but I’m not sure I have the appetite for extreme risk. It’d be an arrogant move fraught with danger, and really Ivan needs the fans united, and he certainly doesn’t want to be on the end of unpleasant op-eds if things go wrong.
It’s clear we’re not getting Allegri who is top 3 in the world for what he does. The only other elite manager who we could opt for is Conte (assuming Tuchel is off limits), and I’m not sure he’s our cup of tea if we’re looking for someone who behaves well and can keep their ego in check.
I think Vieira would be suicidal, the only superpower he has at the moment is his past as an amazing captain. That could be an Alan Shearer like mistake. You know what I think of the Geordies.
So that narrows the search down to Nagelsmann and Jardim.
I think the German feels like the right level of compromise if we want to go for an exciting young manager like the Rams did (good read on Hoffenheim here). He has experience, he is influenced by Rangnick, Tuchel, Klopp and Guardiola, he took a shite team to the Champions League, he’s personable and understands people dynamics, and it seems like there’s a fairly clear run for him.
I love Jardim, but I’m not sure how great his English is, and I wonder if the club want to make a splashier headline grabber for the fans.
Nagelsmann is the one for me. He checks all the boxes. He could be the next level, is the next level, is the next level.
Today’s game won’t be next level. We’re taking a b-squad up to United. It’s an opp to give our exciting kids the chance to rock it at Old Trafford. Someone said to me it’s almost a middle finger to Jose. Wenger doesn’t care about losing to him one last time, he’s all about the Europa League.
I’ll take anything better than losing 4-0.
It’s all about this coming Thursday.
I’m back on the pod this afternoon, if you want to listen, stay glued to Twitter and await my order.
SEE YOU IN THE COMMENTS!
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Bankz is here for the Tr4phy again
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Fokoff Bankz
Nice try Boomslang.
but I had the BOOM today
Wow. Le Grove already in panic mode about the successor to Wenger.
You couldn’t make it up.
Here is the thing…Sarri, Jardim, Bagelsmann, Vieira, Tuchel, Enrique or Arteta would be either:
A) immediately better than Wenger.
B) bring some much needed buzz to the club.
Sounds a bit like Peter is having withdrawal symptoms for Wenger.
I hope not.
Arteta can go and fuck himself. We don’t need him as a Coach.
Guns, not quite. We are on the move for upgrade. Anything better is Enrique, and i would be quite disappointed if he is selected. Jardim is proper upgrade, Naglesmann rising star worth the risk and allready an upgrade.
Ivan
You have basically just reiterated exactly what Peter said.
Do you have an actual opinion or are you just agreeing for the sake of it?
It wasn’t two weeks ago that everybody really liked Enrique…and now?
Is it because he was linked to Chelsea everyone sat up…
I don’t give a fuck who comes in…Wenger is gone and that’s all that matters for now.
Ivan
By the way, we absolutely want an upgrade. Anyone from that list gives us that.
For the record, Enrique isn’t my first choice either. I’d go for Mark Hughes.
“For the record, Enrique isn’t my first choice either. I’d go for Mark Hughes.“
Come again?
CC
Mark Hughes is underrated in my opinion.
Arsenal could do with relegation to bring them down a peg or two.
Hope you are right on Enrique. Cannot see Sarri at all, too many issues, giving the opposing fans the finger would not be tolerated at Arsenal, and he identifies himself exclusively with Napoli. Not sure f he speaks English either, ditto Jardim, certainly did for Gabriel. Conti, no chance, he has moaned about the lack of money at Chelsea. Nagelsmann and Jardim very realistic choices, maybe along with a couple other German managers, and perhaps someone the club are keeping quiet about. Vieira would be a good coach but not manager. A real shame we didn’t act last summer, reports… Read more »
Paddy V would be a considerably better choice than Arteta. At least h is managing a team who are top of the league – not being assistant to the manager. Arteta has ZERO actual management experience. Paddy did a bit of assistant managing at City then moved to do 3 years of managing New York. Sure he’s may be slightly undercooked and he needs to prove himself a bit more, but he wouldn’t be the worst hire. but i admit a huge gamble.
Mark Hughes is quite an unpleasant piece of work, and enjoys little exclusivities with certain agents, as QPR found to their huge cost, could well relegate two teams this season .
One of the merry go round of LMA stalwart British managers whose continued appointments never cease to astound, Fergie must still be looking after his mates.
If Arteta was that highly rated by Pep, he wouldn’t be touting him as the next Arsenal manager. I would run a mile from that one. Reminds me of all the times the other top managers kept saying they wanted wenger to stay at Arsenal ‘because he’s a top manager’. It’s bullshit. They wanted him managing Arsenal so we wouldn’t be a threat to the big titles.
Guns…not sure if you’re being serious. I think we’ve already gone down a peg or two. How would going down further help?
GOH,
That must be one hell of a stonking hangover you have !
Mark Hughes ! Thanks, I needed that !
As you say, anyone (apart from MH) is an upgrade.
Today could be one of those days you know. It won’t matter that we’re likely to play a weakened side and United will play a full strength side. Could be one of those big embarrassments coming up.
On the new manager stuff people need to relax it’ll happen when it’s happens
Just hope they don’t bottle it and go for an experienced manager like Rafa or pellegrini
He’s obviously not serious about Mark Fucking Hughes
Kike Marin has confirmed the news that Enrique is out of the race to become next Arsenal manager due to his transfer spending demands. Allegri is bookies’ favorites now. I am kind of relieved now that Enrique is out of the race. I don’t think he is a good fit for us.
Sam Allardyci anyone !
Hasn’t Allegri said he is staying at Juve?
I suppose he would say that though even if it wasn’t the case, they are fighting for the title.
Thought Chelsea a likely team for him
Odds wide open. Jardim and Nagelsmann both at 33-1!
Allegri merely stated his contract expires in 2020. I wouldn’t take that as a categorical no, kind of a diplomatic answer.
I would imagine they will want to appoint someone who can operate on a shoestring rather than someone who will demand 100’s of Millions to revamp the squad.
Player sales will help with that to an extent.
I think the money issue is key here- as it always is. Look, we’re The Arsenal. We’ve got the prestige, london based, the stadium etc. However, there is no way someone like Allegri will manage a team unless he’s given adequate funds to challenge. Arsenal are talking about having £50 million to spend this summer. That’s not adequate. The club can go two ways: 1) A safe pair of hands which for me would be Benitez. 2) A young, new guy who may do something different which would be Arteta. Gazidis talked about being ‘bold’ in his interview. He also… Read more »
Bergkamp63
Exactly.
For the record. I am NOT serious about Mark Hughes. He’s a bigger flummox than the guy who’s just left.
33/1 is no bet at all. Bookies very rarely get things wrong.
Look, Arsenal have looked at Pep and city and thought about Enrique. It’s pretty simple.
If Sarri is insane…let’s get him in.
Maybe we are missing the bigger picture, that Arsenal isnt the prize that many believe it is? Think about it, Wenger has not left this club in a good position and if rumours are to be believed, there is not going to be a lot of money to spend on a team that sorely lacks quality in key areas (GK, D, MF).
Time to have gotten an elite manager who was interested has passed, Wenger’s selfishness and the board’s blind stupidity saw to that. Looks like we are getting what is deserved, table scraps.
Yeah BIG Sam soon be available. Good assistant to show our defenders how to become bullies. With a BIG mouth surely wouldn’t b quiet like Bouldy. No Arteta (or Paddy). All potential BS and Ivan just wanted to be able to control the next manager that’s all having been @Wenger’ rear end for s long. We probably need to go thru a couple of managers to come great again but surely need to put best foot forward with what we got Ivan better not play games for his own sake. For tonight might as well play the b- team. Would… Read more »
Guns I get it your being sarcastic. Hughes lol. Not that keen on Enrique but is a improvement on what we have. The problem I have with some of these managers is, if there in leagues where it’s a one or two horse race it maybe doesn’t show if there up to the job. Look at Rodgers, pundits starting to clamour for him it’s a one horse race in Scotland but Celtic are caught out every time they place a half decent side in Europe. Don’t get me wrong allegri is quality but juventus have had the league tied down… Read more »
We just have to accept the bumming today at OT.
Thankfully we know Wenger is going and that the season entirely rests on Thursday, so he can fully rotate. Had his sacking not been announced, he wouldn’t have been able to risk taking another historic trashing today and we might have seen a strongish line-up.
Any candidate asking for a 200m budget shouldn’t be hired anyway. Arsenal’s parsimonious approach notwithstanding, it kind of gives an impression the candidate has little else to offer other than spending bucketloads of money.
I think a fitting end would be a big United win, delivered by Jose.
Mind you, any potential manager watching today might just pass on it…what the hell do you do with garbage like Iwobi, Welbeck, Wilshere, Mustafi etc etc etc?
“Wenger doesn’t care about losing to him one last time, he’s all about the Europa League.”
How novel, exactly what Jose did to Wenger last season, exactly!
Arsenal are talking about having £50 million to spend this summer. That’s not adequate.
Did they now. Must have missed that press conference where they said there’s only 50 million. If I can steal a word from Charlie’s book you are gullible if you believe that. Sure Wenger’s pissed away money the last few years, accumulated a bit of dross and brought us into disrepute the last two years but 50 million? In this day and age gets you a foot and half a leg. You only want to believe it because it fits a certain narrative
“Any candidate asking for a 200m budget shouldn’t be hired anyway. ”
Agreed TR7. Any manager that is a real manager will relish the challenge of getting Wenger’s shit squad to perform better and consistently. A true manager knows that they can get the most out of little because they believe in themselves. Claudio Ranieri comes to mind.
Any candidate asking for a 200m budget shouldn’t be hired anyway. Arsenal’s parsimonious approach notwithstanding, it kind of gives an impression the candidate has little else to offer other than spending bucketloads of money.
Wow really. Yeah why spend money am I right. It’s funny because certain types talk about the only way to compete with City for example is to spend money like City.
a real manager will relish the challenge of getting Wenger’s shit squad to perform better and consistently. A true manager knows that they can get the most out of little because they believe in themselves.
A successful manager will spend money.
Leicester City is a prime example of the flaw in your statement, Marko. And dont say that wont happen again, because it did already just a couple of years ago and it can happen again somewhere down the road.
what the hell do you do with garbage like Iwobi, Welbeck, Wilshere, Mustafi etc etc etc?
A real manager will want to work with them and improve them and certainly not buy better players than them
“A successful manager will spend money.”. Wisely one would hope?
Frankie I don’t even know what you’re talking about. Do you want a new manager not to have a war chest but would rather he worked with a shoestring budget? Because Leicester got lucky that one time. Since the premier league began other than the top 4 only Leicester and Blackburn have won a championship…once.
you work with what you are given Marko, and time will tell you where to make necessary changes. Lets be honest, Wenger is a career killer, a lot of these guys are lacking confidence and feel jaded. Someone new may ge able to get something out of them. If not, then you know what you have and you move on.
I don’t see how we can’t improve our situation without spending money and signings. An easy and rigid approach sure but I’m sorry there’s just no improving some players and most of the squad we have aren’t good enough. Blame Wenger for a lot sure but also blame certain players for just not being good enough as well
Today could go one of two ways, we put a reserve team out and get our arses served to us, with a big 4-5 goal thrashing. Or we actually play sensibly, a few of the youngsters thrive on the pressure and we’re quite solid. And knick something. I’m hoping for the second option but thinking it might be the first. As far as Wenger is concerned this should be a free hit. Today is nothing it’s all about Thursday now. Give the youngsters a game see how Eddie plays with auba, Can holding or chambers be a better partner with… Read more »
Wake up Marko, we are getting shit for a manager. What part of the choices tells you we are seeking an improvement? I get what you are saying, but you really got nothing out of what Gazidis stated at his presser and subsequently after, they are going for a slow rebuild. The names people are mentioning are those that want it all and want it now. Remember, Arsenal does its business with its iwn money, the owner has never spent a plugged nickel of his own money and wont ever. That means- budget! Best get ready for a manager who… Read more »
you work with what you are given Marko,
That’s like something you’d say to a manager at a midtable or club down the bottom. Work with what you’ve got cause we can’t afford to invest in the squad. Is that Arsenal?
Mark hughes??? Loooool
Lets take a risk with Alex Mcleish
Not just a new manager, but the best part of a whole new coaching team will arrive, including those whose coaching skills have developed beyond methods from,the turn of the millennium. Banfield Peyton primorac and Colbert presumably will no longer be there. Some players could be transformed with proper hands on coaching, fault analysis and improvement . As an example, the youth and academy teams have greatly improved since Wenger was made to distance himself from them after numerous catastrophes . Wenger has done so much damage to this club, not just by himself but through his underachieving yes men,… Read more »
I feel whom ever the the board chooses I feel it should be a defensive type manager.I know some fans are very much into maintaining the brand of football, however at the very top level has not worked in fact it’s been complete families. I want to see this team become much more drilled and play counter attacking football with more width and play more direct, with pace and power
I believe that is Arsenal, Marko. They blew the motherload in January – this is what they will tell you. How much do they have to spend now? It should be a lot acoording to what many of us have been told, coupled with Wenger’s reluctance to spend it. I have a feeling that the budget for spend is not there – it was blown in January and salaries are killing it as well (see Ozil for reason)
Best get ready for a manager who isnt about spending money. Thats the cold hard reality of Arsenal. Yeah but we’re not talking about what will happen we’re talking about what should happen. You want a manager who’s going to improve our lot and who isn’t about spending money. I want the new manager to spend money because it’s the only way to improve our lot. It’s simples. You don’t go from criticising Wenger for spending fuck all for 20 years to then being okay with the next manager basically doing the same thing. It’s all pointless anyway because the… Read more »
Thanks for clarifying Marko. Yes, what should happen is what you project. What likely will happen is more towards what i am projecting, a cautious approach borne out of wasteful spending on bloated salaries.
Remember, and i hate saying this, this is about Arsenal values. What does “Values” mean? We are about to find out. Bottom line, this club is screwed for the foreseeable future.
I feel that whom the bring in will just bevcoaching the team nothing more, from what I understand they have brought in a top technical director and scout, so the new manager will not be over-seeing everything. In fact the days where one man having over all say of everything the Wenger and fergerson had is long gone
“Ivan G wants to hire in Arteta, but that’s a massive risk and it’d take balls of steel to make a decision like that. ” Disagree witht that. Hiring Arteta would be nothing but cowardness from Gazidis, because it would be playing the “ultimate safety card”. As for Enrique, the only thing that really don’t like in his profile is that he seems to be more interested by money than by football. But of course, if it’s between him and Arteta, it’s Enrique without a single once hesitation. For this afternnon, I’d take everything which is a better score for… Read more »
Nagelsmann is 18-1 with the bookies.
Allegri is 3-1 favourite. Interesting because I can’t find anybody really linking us with Allegri but the bookies reckon it could be on.
“A successful manager will spend money IN AN INTELLIGENT WAY”
(after getting rid of Ozil)
So does Mourinho show respect to Wenger and calls off the dogs, or does he put the screws one last time to him and goes at throttle up? To me thats the only question for todays match.
Stan won’t put money in he never has. Stan sets the transfer fund not Ivan. Where has the money gone considering stan doesn’t take barely anything out of the club apart from the odd 3 million in management fees which is nothing. We turn a profit virtually every season. The stadium repayment comes from a different fund so where is our world famous 200 million plus war chest? Stan makes the final choice on manager he will want more of the same, self sustaining but get us back in the top four. If arteta or a cheap option can do… Read more »
Mancini accused Sarri of being a racist and homophobe after he called him a f****t and p**f. It’s obviously not acceptable regardless but how is that racist?
Your Comment Here
“If arteta or a cheap option can do that, that’s the route we’ll take.”
Unfortunatelly this is a real possibility…
The fact that your putting Nagglesman over Jardim is simply quite shocking!!!!!!
Jardim has won a league title (over PSG and their millions) and made a CL last 8, develop young talent, and rebuild a team after a clearout, tell me what exactly has Nagglesman done???
This issue of language is totally for the Press, not the club, he can learn am sure.
As I said, shock at your choice
Cech, Ospina
Bellerin, Monreal, Kolasinac, Osei-Tutu, Mavropanos, Holding, Chambers
Willock, Xhaka, Maitland-Niles, Mkhitaryan, Iwobi, Nelson
Welbeck, Nketiah, Aubameyang
____
Arsene finally doing the right thing and prioritising the EL, should be an interesting game and looking forward to seeing some of the youngsters in action.
Or could be another 8-2, would be fcuking ironic and well deserved tbh. Although I had seen through Arsene’s masquerade years earlier, it was the day I was convinced his was finished.
I have reading allot of comments that Arteter would not be as good coach Viera, I wouldnt mind how either one would as one of our coaches but not first team manager. Because I definitely don’t want Steve Bold who had turned out to nothing more than a yes man. I hope they bring in an experienced manager with some pedergree
Zidane will be sacked by RM this summer – we have already done the deal to bring him in
Rumour has it that Enrique also wants 16 million for salary. I’d like to believe that the 200m and 16m are figures coming from the media, because if true Enrique may never find work again – he’s not that good a manager to begin with.
Yes everyone is over valuing themselves.
Ozil contract set a bad example to everyone.
Greedy agents are killing the game.
Chris Coleman is now available
Either Jardim or Nagelsmann will be fine. We need someone who is excellent tactically, who can work within a budget and who can work with younger players. Some of the money talk above is silly. The new manager and Sanllehi will have whatever money is available — i.e., whatever money the self-sustainable model allows us to spend. We have the money we have. If you don’t like, send a letter to the board and ask them to change the model and find an owner who will dip into his own pocket. As for how much money we have to spend,… Read more »
Pierre [other England legrove-ites]
Just want your opinion win this.
Are the people out there in England who think the problem with English football is a lack of money?
Just wondering why in the freaking world is your FA selling the most iconic stadium in the word and the face of English football to an American?
Marko
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/04/23/new-arsenal-manager-restricted-50m-summer-transfer-budget/
It’s not a question of it ‘fitting a certain narrative’. More like following the current narrative.
Di you really think Arsenal will spend more?
We are talking net here of course.
Squad that has traveled to Manchester—
Cech
Ospina
Bellerin
Monreal
Kolasinac
Osei-Tutu
Mavropanos
Holding
Chambers
Willock
Xhaka
Maitland-Niles
Mkhitaryan
Iwobi
R. Nelson
Welbeck
Nketiah
Aubameyang
No Mustafi, Koscielny, Ramsey, Ozil, Wilshere or Lacazette.
Also, on spending; the only figure that matters is net spend of course.
Sure we spent £100 million on two new strikers, but we lost Sanchez who’s better than both auba and laca and got Mhikitaryan- a useful player but not one we especially need.
We also sold giroud in January which was a mistake.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/5475551/arsenal-made-profit-transfers-season-man-city-spending/
Alexander adopts whatever narrative allows him to continue to say that ownership is not willing to spend, that ownership is the problem. This is obvious.
In reality the only things limiting our spending today and going forward is the s-s model and the revenue we are bringing in.
In getting rid of Wenger we are getting rid of both a long-standing impediment to spending and a cause of much unintelligent spending. Whether the new bunch can do better remains to be seen.
I was reading in the Guardian the other day that Alan Curbishley is available for hire.
CC’ I’m pretty sure that the new manager is already known to the board. There’s no way we are slow-walking the process into the one of the most abbreviated summer transfer windows ever. I just have a sneaky feeling that Allegri is agreed already He was lined up last year to take over from Wenger before Wenger changed his mind about leaving. he’s been taking summer lessons and is already home shopping. I know Chelsea are looking for a manager as well but who would you manage of Arsenal and Chelsea. I think most managers will prefer the project at… Read more »
Alexander Complete nonsense. We lost Sanchez because Wenger is garbage and the former knew our ship was going nowhere under the latter. As for whether Sanchez is better than either Lacazette or Aubameyang (or both together?) that depends a little on one’s opinion and a little on the set-up he or they are being played in. I myself agree that Sanchez is a better footballer than either of those two, but he wanted out, and he wasn’t playing that well. So I’m not quite sure what your point is. That they should have spent even more money in January? Would… Read more »
* are
“They clearly want to win, and they are clearly willing to spend — Wenger was the impediment to this “
Same old Kroenke interference being run.
They are yet to pay their hand so let’s save the absolutist stuff stating they “clearly want to win”.
Can’t claim they want to win AND lament Wenger not being sacked a decade ago. Same people involved, learn to be measured.
Wenger not being sacked a decade ago!
That’s a good one, Charlie. Were you for that? A decade ago? Some here were, sure, but were you? Do tell.
Bamford changing his tune already I see.
When Wenger spent less, it was all on him and his principles. Not due to financial restrictions.
But now if the next man spends only 50 million, its because of financial restrictions as per our model.
Lolz
Dissenter
It’s what I’m lead to believe by the guy I know at Arsenal. We’ve given Max the eyes and he’s given us the reassuring nod – only he’s still got business to tend to.
Worth a bit of dough
A lot of this money talk is down to someone who
can come in and see value.
Ozil was not one of those players who represented value.
Up for grabs
‘Stan makes the final choice on manager he will want more of the same, self sustaining but get us back in the top four.
If arteta or a cheap option can do that, that’s the route we’ll take.’
I agree
There is a chance that someone like Arteta could do something. It’s a hard road to take though.
Bamford
They’re your beliefs aren’t they?
Seems a bit funny you’d spit the dummy about him being here a decade too long, but they staunchly defend the owner as “clearly wanting to win” heading into this summer.
You talk in utter riddles
“same people involved”
Actually, the people making these decisions have largely changed, except for Gazidis and Kroenke. The manager will be be new, Sanllehi is new, Mislintat is new.
And given that Josh Kroenke came to London for two months and Wenger is now on his way out, there is some reason to believe that even Kroenke is different in that the Kroenke making decisions for Arsenal is either Kroenke Sr. and Kroenke Jr. together or it may in fact be Kroenke Jr.
But sure, time will tell in the end. I see no evidence for the penny-pinching narrative, however.
CC
A rare moment of candour from silent stan:
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/stan-kroenke-i-didnt-buy-arsenal-stake-to-win-trophies-a3202046.html
Sometimes you struggle with logic, Charlie. Yes, I believe they want to win. I also believe that they, like you, believed that Wenger could win. That’s why they kept him on. They didn’t keep him on because they preferred being irrelevant also-rans; that would be irrational and would make no sense. They kept him on because they believed in him — wrongly, erroneously, mistakenly. Now they have at long last seen that he must go, that he is the problem. They are not interested in being irrelevant also-rans. They want to win. But they will be sticking with the s-s… Read more »
“Nagelsmann is the one for me. He checks all the boxes. He could be the next level, is the next level, is the next level.” The delusion here is blinding. You talk about the next hire having a superpower bla bla and then call an upstart. The other day you dismissed Viera because he has a 47% win rate. Do you know Nagelsman’s win rate? About the same figure. Viera finished 2nd last season with his team and has them on top this season. Nagelsman will be a disaster and he will certainly not united the crowd. Arsenal is no… Read more »
Rambo I’m not changing my tune one iota. Do you know for a fact that we have more than 50m to spend? If we have 200m to spend — I don’t think we do — and we only spend 50m, then I will raise questions about that just like anyone else here will. However, even that would have to be put into context, as maybe they want to be cautious; just because you have 200m to spend — and again, I don’t think we do — that doesn’t mean you go out and spend that the first summer you have… Read more »
SNORE.?