The Nuno stories went from a light belly rumble to an out and out unexpected ripper of a fart.
Sami Mokbel, a man with fine information, reckons he’s on our list should the club move Emery on. This story was backed by a number of others.
I am hoping the story is a touch like the Enrique and Mourinho rumours. It’s good for a manager like Nuno to be linked with the big jobs even if the story is a nonsense, it’s basically a way of alerting the rest of Europe that he’s all ears if anyone wants to send an offer his way next summer.
My hope is Jorge Mendes is trying to push for his client to find a new gig after 800 days at Wolves.
The Portuguese has done a solid job at Wolves. He’s taken them to the Premier League and made them very difficult to beat. His record against the top 6 has been better than Wenger’s and Unai’s combined, which admittedly isn’t a stretch achievement, but it’s still something.
He has sauce on the touchline, no doubt. If that Sky Sports presenter made a joke about his beard, he’d probably have biten a chunk out of his neck and murdered his kids. No doubt his English is better than Unai’s and the fact he’s built a solid team capable of being an underdog is also very commendable.
I’m just not sure that’s the sort of hire that moves you forward longterm. Compare Nuno’s resume to Unai’s and our guy trounces him. Emery had a smaller budget with Sevilla, La Liga’s version of Wolves, and he won 3 Europa League finals. They both managed Valencia, Nuno finished 4th, Unai finished 3rd three times. The only thing Nuno has on Emery is the language and one very good season in the Premier League.
Also worth remembering, the tiny little club in Wolves is run by one if the murkiest super agents in the game. The man that sold Bebe to Man United bankrolls the club with big cash and pulls in favours only a man of his pedigree could. Wolves has spent £200m in the past two seasons. £20m more than us. That doesn’t diminish the job, but it’s quite an advantage to be able to blow money like that. He’s currently 1 point ahead of Arsenal’s worst run in 38 years.
You also can’t ignore the past. Last time he was given a run at a big club, it was Porto, he struggled to break down teams that played a deep block and he resorted to longball football the fans didn’t like. He didn’t last. I’m sure he can adapt to Arsenal, he’s always flexed the sort of football he plays, but do we really want to play underdog football? If you’re going to go for that sort of manager, why not opt for one with Champions League experience like Allegri or Mourinho? Or, if you’re punting for a Premier League manager at a smaller club, go all out for Brendan Rodgers.
The notion that he’s Poch before he went to Spurs is a struggle for me… Poch didn’t blow £200m net on players at Southampton, nor at Spurs. Different gravy I’m afraid.
The deeper concern would be the signifier that Arsenal are a club controlled by super agents… and all the connotations that go with that sort of territory. We’ve seen first hand what Kia Joorabchian can bring you for a combined outlay of £40m (David Luiz). Can we honestly believe that all these mega fees that are passed around are in the best interests of moving Arsenal forward? It’ll start to look like pigs at a trough.
Raul’s reputation will sour very quickly if we continue to lack creativity and rigor with our approach. Sven Mislintat might not have been the right person for Arsenal, but it’s hard to argue that his vision for how the game should operate was incorrect. The contacts approach lacks transparency and it outsources your creativity. Hoping for other people to be honest about people they’re making fees off of is a fools game.
Here’s hoping the solution to the Emery problem isn’t to give it to a guy with a less impressive resume and better beard. That said, I do like his beard, it’s very cool.
Listen to my pod, please.
Receding
I said go with Arteta/Vieira if you want elite slow burn aka to grow with “potential”.
Personally I have my doubts about Vieira, but he holds a lot of weight at Arsenal and that sort of goodwill could be incredibly useful presently and beyond if he takes to the task well enough and delivers some growth. Arteta would be my choice of those sorts all day long.
And agreed, I’m incredibly disturbed at how toxic the Arsenal camp is becoming, the leaks are simply not on. We’re becoming a farce.
Just checked CSL standings. Rafa’s Dalian is at 10th. Currently trailing the 14th placed team by 5 (five) goals.
Have all respect for the guy Rafa. Hope he hasn’t shrunk like Wenger, Ranieri etc
We became a farce at coach level, at the run in of last season.
The inability of the management to be proactive with a collective vision at the end of the season has led us to where we are now.
The procrastinating suits are to blame as much as Emery for this Groundhog Day fiasco. Where they are not living up to their PR video promises.
Nothing wrong with appointing Nuno, unless there is someone better out there who is available. Is Frank Rijkaard still coaching. He is just into his mid 50s so surely not. Why is City looking at Van Bronkourst when they have the Maestro right there as Peps no2. Why haven’t Everton chosen the Lego man who has sat at the feet of Pep and has better hair.
Nuno it is then.
“And agreed, I’m incredibly disturbed at how toxic the Arsenal camp is becoming, the leaks are simply not on. We’re becoming a farce.”
It’s an entitlement mentality mixed with envy towards the likes of City, Liverpool and to lesser extents Spurs and Chelsea, heck we are even envious of Wolves and Leicester.
If Spurs had won the CL last season we would have hounded the muppet Emery out by now. Our 2nd or 3rd tier status is firmly ingrained across the club and fandom now
Valentin
“+ A coach with the ambition to get the Champion’s League/Premiership and to win it within a few years.”
lol
https://metro.co.uk/2019/11/27/hector-bellerin-suffers-hamstring-injury-ahead-must-win-match-unai-emery-11226443/
ok, so just heard that Nuno is NOT agent talk, he’s being discussed
Pedro
Cheers for that….. 😐 is Pardew in the mix too?
I was like where’s Charlie gone?
Hope your’e good pal.
CC, great comment on Nuno. So good, I packaged it up on Twitter and passed it off as my own.
@Pedro : I was talking about him a little earlier, but no one noticed, so i wanted to have your opinion about Lucien Favre, whose job is in great threat at Dortmund.
Cheers Tony, Samesong. All good, just a bit loveless re:Arsenal currently so a bit muted on the topic. Imagine I’m not the only one on that front!
–
Pedro
hahaha I’ll regard that as a tip of the cap, though you’ve probably invited a barrel of abuse from Banford if what Gambon was saying is true about his Twitter exploits.
The lads (Raul and co.) are seeing that spotlight edge ever closer are they not? Why does it feel like a glacial move toward total vitriol towards those guys running things? Worrying if you ask me.
Agree CC, buck stops with Sanhelli. We clearly don’t want him to become our version of Woodward!
I thought Edu was supposed to shape our philosophy, is Nuno really it?
Shockingly, most who don’t want Nuno are basing their arguments on his lack of success at big clubs yet will take Poch in a heartbeat.
As Batistuta said, no appointment can unite the fans except positive results.
Nuno can be a success. Even so called proven winners such as Mourinho, Pooh have failed at some point in their careers.
Receding, at least they can talk philosophy in at least two languages I guess! More Portuguese speakers on the way.
Whats happened to people pride?
Arsenal men Bould ,Freddie and Double D
(forget Edu- he has been Bought)
Why dont they open their gobs and say we are not tolerating this circus any more..
Ultimatum to Raul :””” we take Over – or we are out of the Door!””””
If they tolerate this bland and totally underwhelming appointment- history wont look on kindly whilst Arsenal degenerate and disintegrate further
Bob
Ufff, that sent a shiver down my spine. Raul and Ed, stuff of nightmares.
KAY Boss
Can you sell me Nuno? Obviously anyone can prove a success, but I’m speculating likelihood or risk associated.
Just looking at some stats. To get the CL fourth we have to get about 70pts We currently have only 18 so that’s 52 more points needed in 25 remaining games. So we have to get 52 pts out of a possible 75pts. That’s a win rate of 69% Emery win rate this season is 31%! So he has failed to achieve the clubs target in only 13 games. Raul thinks he need one last chance , to achieve what? Getting a new manager cost no more than an average player so it can’t be the money. Raul needs to… Read more »
Ishola70,
I did not say that the coach will win the Champion’s League or the premiership, but he must plan to be able to compete for it within a few years. Targeting to toil around the top 4 will lead to incremental improvement.
When Klopp took over at Liverpool, his remit was to make Liverpool relevant again within a few years. Not just to get them back into the Champion’s League.
@Spanishs : useless stats, as we’re gonna win the ELC. lol
Nuno is another “safe but not exciting option”. We’re still very much a rudderless ship, so much for the modern backroom team.
This arsenal situation is such a conundrum – on one hand you can sit there and say , well it’s a communication problem with emery – is it ? On the other hand We finished 5th last season and 3rd was in our hands so he seemed to be communicating up to a point where it all went bad. So what happened ? Then you can look at a guy like Nuno who I personally like – I’m taking it purely from what he’s done at wolves as I’ve said earlier – what he did at Valencia and Porto is… Read more »
When we sacked Arsene, we took a step forward then sadly, 2 steps backward. It appears we’ve learnt nothing as we’re about to do the same.
So Emery is asking the fans at the Emirates to change the atmosphere to stop opposing teams being fearless.
Doesn’t he understand how things work?
Surely our knowledgeable PR department have a basic understanding of the game. Why can’t someone relay a simple communication and explain to him that what he’s doing is a contributory factor in helping to create this negative atmosphere.
Charlie, I’m not here to sell any manager. All I want is a coach who can deliver what the fans expect. I will not down play the possibility of success or failure with the next hire. Just that if u discount the ability of a possible hire on the premise of failure in previous adventure but big up another who’s achieved nothing/failed leaves much to be desired.
No on this Nuno guy.
Allegri would be the dream hire for me, he or Poch. Don’t know how likely either are though.
Watching SkyBet – NES was 6/4 last night, in from long long odds 24 hours earlier; then in to 10/11 this morning; now 8/11 with Arteta drifting out fast – currently to 12/1. Someone knows something or there’s a lot of money following the herd.
Nuno took Valencia from 8th with 51 points and – 2 goal difference to 4th with 77 points and +38 goal difference.
Emery may have got 3rd with Valencia but the best he did was 71 points and +20.
Yes give me a manager that does not look totally
Deranged and that’s before those dulcet tones of Ebening all
rattle my brain.
I said it ages ago ( think 87%) the Spiv is petrified in giving the job to Freddie.
Petrified in that he could do well and get the fans onside. And thus keep the job for a while.
And soon as thats happened – he is neutered. He might not be able to foist a David Luiz on him etc without serious repercussions.
There is no rush whatsoever for a managerial appointment.
The rush is simply to get Emery out ( ASAP).
So disappointed in Freddie – that cant see he is being ‘played’
We are not going to get the management thing right in one go.
Who ever comes in need to get us going again and competing so that in a couple of years we can get the right guy along with a better club set up.
There is more than just the managers job to fix.
But I read Freddie does not have all his badges.?
NES would be as about as underwhelming as when Roy Hodgson rucked up at Anfield in 2011, he didn’t last a year and after a short Dalgleish interlude along came Rodgers & Klopp. Maybe that’s what we need to go through, but after Emery NES feels like young Woy. Its a no from me but given the shambolic way AFC is run these days, it will probably happen.
“but big up another who’s achieved nothing/failed leaves much to be desired.“
Who?
@CC : are you a fucking owl ??
Pedro, The fact is you as as a blogger are forming your opinions partly in the dark, and we as fans and posters are working almost wholly in the dark. The underlying assumption we are all making is that there are no or limited constraints on Raul and Edu as decision makers in the selection of a new manager. So you/we go for either an experienced winner (Allegri) or a “new thinker” (Arteta etc.) with limited experience. Put aside for a moment that London is a “world class” city and that we are a “big club”. You still have to… Read more »
we aren’t in a position to attract the best coaches….just because we’re ARSENAL doesn’t cut it at this point in time.
There are massive holes in our squad…aside from the potential upfront.
I wouldn’t fancy the job….
Let Freddie have a go….what on earth have we got to lose….(12 points until January?)
Oh and for those calling for Freddie, he is time-limited.
Good post, words.
If you are Rafa B, with a hyper-lucrative ongoing contract in China, why come back to England for presumably less money, especially if people are talking about you being there on an interim basis?
One reason is that Benitez family live in the UK.
If you are Arteta, and have been spurned already by Arsenal, why commit yourself to a super-risky project at Arsenal? Why not bide your time at ManC, learning from Pep the Master, or try a less risky project at Everton where expectations are lower?
Arteta turned down the Arsenal job
very good post btw
Mikel Arteta says he was set to leave Manchester City to become Arsenal’s next manager but stopped himself as he didn’t feel it was the right time to take the leap.
Arteta emerged as a favourite for the top job at the Emirates following Arsene Wenger’s departure and was expected to take the reins
It gets a No for Nuno or Rafa as Gaffa from me,
These don’t feel like they are going to bring anything new to the party, if we can’t afford Poch or Allegri then let’s go with a prospect that might bring something exciting to the club.
I know it’s a gamble but what in earnest do we have to lose at this stage ?
Arteta, Alonso or another ex PL player who has taken his managerial badges.
Charlie I’m a no regarding Poch, I expected him to win something with Spuds even though he was hamstrung by Levy at times.
Just don’t see him working out with us, especially temperament wise.
Seems Bayern are discounting him if what KHR has said today.
What’s your thoughts on Poch?
KAY
“Charlie, I’m not here to sell any manager. All I want is a coach who can deliver what the fans expect”
What, in your opinion, do you think the fans expect a new coach to deliver.
Either Poch or Naggelsman or Brendan or a totally left field appointment like Arteta.
Pierre,
To deliver a better out put on the field. Be it silver ware, good game or steady and positive progression.
CC,…….. POCHETINO
Anyway my expectations were low, so I’m not surprised by what we’re going through. hope we get it right with time. It’s a process we’ve got to go through. Hopefully, one day, we shall come back stronger than before. Until then, get some pressure pills.
Tony I like Poch a lot, good ethos, competitive, collective emphasis, defensively sound. I think he arguably should’ve looked to win a cup to dampen that sort of noise about him at Spurs but I’d have him tomorrow. I think I’m on record plenty for my views about what sort of approach we ought to take as a club next. I’d love a guy to come in and be the guy to run up the hill to the top but I think that’s maybe fanciful. Maybe we need someone steadfast to let the abundance of changes at the club breathe… Read more »
In the weeks after Wenger’s removal, posters were consumed with the likely candidates to replace him. It’s like Groundhog Day as posters re-heat the debate about many of the same candidates – e.g. Arteta, Allegri, etc – to replace Emery. The one constant is the overall management of the club. We have appointed Rual, Edu & Co, but does anyone seriously believe that the basics have been changed ? We still have a disinterested owner, no apparent plan and no obvious sense of direction. I believe we should ship Emery out as quickly as possible. But changing the manager will… Read more »
Emery has not been sacked yet between
Just thought it reminding you all about that is important
They isn’t an actual vacancy to be filled as of this moment
Unbeliavable! What fycking apathy.. We are run by clowns. Always lack of action and nervousness for the next move.
Yea I’d sooner have time for Benitez before any of Poch or Arteta to be very honest. Mam not only knows the league but is a winner… The whole let’s get the best new flavour of the month manager long term thinking thing is a bit too much at the moment, for me anyways…We’re not getting any of the tier1 managers so why not someone like Benitez…Will take him before Favre or even Naggleman and co mainly because our squad isn’t exactly equipped for a lot of the kinda football most of you have it in your head we can… Read more »
Nuno is a good coach., I dont see what the problem is.
“our squad isn’t exactly equipped for a lot of the kinda football most of you have it in your head we can play”
Good point.
@Batistuta
I’d have Rafa as well. The Chinese super league ends this weekend maybe Raul and co could tempt him back to the UK
Emery was always a transitional manager and our next one is going to be as well.
Arsenal are trying to get rid of all our senior players on big contracts while launching it’s third youth project in past decade, this is not easy to manage.
Whoever we bring in next will be failure just like Emery but Unai has got process started by sidelining a bunch of senior players who probably hate him now.
I am not bothered by who we hire next because I don’t think it going to make difference with squad we have.
I don’t share the view that we don’t have the talent to play great football, yes there are big problems at the back but coaching is what they need, we are terrible shape wise, a basic lack of movement and crisp passing is missing.
Our play couldn’t get any slower or more predictable if we tried.
JWL “”””Arsenal are trying to get rid of all our senior players on big contracts while launching it’s third youth project in past decade, this is not easy to manage.”””””” and then give a 32 Chelsea reject old a 2.5 half year contract on a 100 000 week. and then paid fortunes in loan fees and for ceblloas- taking a youngsters place- ironically, and he will be back in Spain next year. If the Non Descript One comes – we will be changing manager again before the end of the season. from the man who stated The Clown will be… Read more »
Pedro ‘Sven Mislintat might not have been the right person for Arsenal,’ Well, he might have been. He must have seen something very wrong to jump ship so early. Overall, I think Arsenal fc is in far worse shape than a lot of fans realise. We have a hopeless manager We have spent next season’s transfer money. We won’t qualify for the CL We are floundering in an increasingly competitive league where huge TV money means that even the smaller clubs have a few quid to spend. Right now, I don’t think the powers that be have a clear vision… Read more »
“I bet he regrets buying Usmanov’s shares now.”
I’m not worried for him.
Pedro, CC has said nothing you’ve not already said in the post. I understand the reluctance regarding Nuno especially when compared to Emery, but Wenger had won far less when he took over Arsenal than Emery had and look how successful he went on to be. There was no evidence Pochettino could upscale Tottenham based on his career but he went on to make them a top 4 club and got them to a CL final. Wolves play good attacking football and not just on the counter. I think we could do a lot worse than Nuno. As for Arteta,… Read more »
We haven’t spent next season’s transfer money at all. All transfers are usually spread over 4 or 5 years. We still have annual TV money, sponsorship and gate receipts etc.
We haven’t spent next season’s transfer money at all.
Stunning Alex H
“””Overall, I think Arsenal fc is in far worse shape than a lot of fans realise.””””
100% Accurate Analysis
And this Wolves manager neither has the character, expertise, leadership qualities to quell the fires that are coming.
You would hope that the club are having conversations now with potential managers and line one up before Emery gets his cards.
Mid season isn’t easy to get mangers in and with Man U likely to kick out OSG soon some of them would rather go there.
The next manager doesn’t have to be the one, we still have a lot of work clearing out the dross left by Wenger, so we need to stabilize before we move on.
I’m convinced this is Emery’s last game regardless of the score line Auba has apparently refused to talk contracts until the emery situation is clear Meanwhile the journalists are circling him like buzzards The players have downed tools And perhaps most importantly it’s predicted that tonight will have the lowest turnout for a competitive game in emirates stadium history. Frankfurt’s fans will be banned which will make it look a chunk worse, but also a lot of arsenal fans likely won’t be arsed Even if we win, I think this game is really the last. It can’t go on after… Read more »
Mustafi’s comments on Frankfurt read like shots against Emery.
Ebening fanny juices. What’s up?
Charging into a M and S red for £6.00. Not bad at all. Table wine…not top end but serviceable.
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/handbrake-off-a-show-about-arsenal/id1488521732?i=1000457887141
Lee Dixon speaking about defensive drills when he was playing under graham and rioch and how you can be drilled to play defence properly – also chatting about taking abuse , how he got booed at Highbury , how it’s part an parcel and how you Should man up …
In as much as Emery can’t be absolved of the blame, some of our players have been drab. I think we’ve passed some poor play from them and put all on Emery. Some have been totally atrocious. PapaSok comes to mind. If we thinking of bringing Xhaka back in to the fold, it says it all really about the coach and his players.
Emery Christmas to you (in advance), Guns.
HL
That’s good wordplay.
But pack it in. There’s only room for one wordsman on here.
But that was nice. Wishing you a very emery Christmas!
That’s the fucking Arsenal Xmas card this year, isn’t it!
I don’t know why people are still discussing installing Freddie. Freddie does not have the necessary UEFA Pro License. He can take charge only for 12 weeks, which does not take us until the end of the season. So we will still need a permanent appointment.
“That’s the fucking Arsenal Xmas card this year, isn’t it!”
Nope, this year it’s a gift card signed by Josh, Raul, Stan and Unai.
The G
“””””He can take charge only for 12 weeks”””””””
Ignore them- what are UEFA going to do.?
Chuck us out of Europe next season?
Fine us some petty change?
He is a Bloody Invincible- he know more about soccer than the bloke giving out these pointless badges.
(These pro- licence badges- total waste of time and money anyway.)
Brian Clough, Fergie, Wenger Shankly didnt need them.
(the sheer self importance of these football authorities.)
I bet you the Clown has all these licences and badges – fat lot of good it has done him and US!
And also by Edu, of course!!
And even signed by Pedro!!
Chelsea defense is not very good. Their attack is good. 1 – 1
so Emery hinting that hes lost the dressing room
No shit
Where sis you see that Samesong?
TT
My apologies I read it wrong in the metro newspaper.
Samesong,
When that number of first team members have “accidentally” liked social media messages asking for Emery’s sacking, it is pretty safe to say he has lost the dressing room.
That does not mean that he has lost Raul’s support. The final decision may end up the sale of those players: Aubameyang, Lacazette, Martinez, Mhkitaryan, …
Dont think any coach will be accepted universally on LeG.
I’d take Nuno, as said previously, hes on the way up, has a good brand of football and has over achieved with his current club.
I was well up for Rodgers 18 months ago but the general consensus was he was a prem failure, now hes near the top of the list yet Nuno is criticised for his past? Strange…..
CG,
Both the Premiership and UEFA have a charter that require long term manager to have the UEFA Pro License.
Clubs breaching that clause may be kicked out of the European competition or heavily fined.
For the premiership and Championship, I think that only Glen Roeder and Gareth Southgate were granted exemption. So I am not sure what the Premiership would do.
Unai Agreed. I think the negativity around Nuno is over the top. I can understand the feeling of being underwhelmed but he’s better than some fans are giving him credit for. I wouldn’t mind it. My top choice would be Pochettino but I’m not sure we can make that happen. People like Allegri I don’t think will be interested, he will want the security of a massive transfer fund. I don’t want Arteta or Ljungberg. Gone off Vieira as well (who I would have tolerated) given our problems and his season this year. I guess the club will sound out… Read more »
Slow news day in here. I guess the regulars are banged up or on reduced internet hours at the asylum.
Bundesliga sure does get a lot of managerial love on here for such a poor league at present.
Wouldn’t touch Tuchel.
Underwhelming at Dortmund and underachieving with a stupid strong PSG side with forwards like M’Bappe, Neymar, Icardi, Cavani, Di Maria, Draxler, etc.
Poch your top choice CA?
It not concern you how badly he was flagging at Spurs? Completely lost the dressing room.
No chance they turn that game around against Olympiacos with Poch or beat West Ham.
Big goal for Valencia that, still in Chelsea’s hands though unless Ajax win tonight and then lose to Valencia next week in Amsterdam.
I wonder which one of the worlds managers are good at PowerPoint?
Because I guess that gets you the Arsenal job, right.
Valentin
Stop the scaremongering about this coaching licence brouhaha.
The penalty is a slap on on the wrist and exceptions are given all the time.
Name one club that was kicked out of European competition.
We could appoint Freddie [not that I want him] and get and exemption after 12 weeks. We could pair him with Bould who has a licence to skirt around the rules. We could give him a different job title to go around those rules.
Dissenter
You back on the outside? How was the time in lock up?
Right with you Cesc, would take Allegri or Potch but think both are highly unlikely.
Paddy and Arteta are both untested in real terms and both carry huge risk as much as they have potential.
Fact is, Nuno has taken a middling Championship club to a whole new level albeit with investment.
I don’t like the whole ‘spent more than us’ point of view, its relative, £200m goes further when you have a strong base to work with.
Glenn Roeder in….?
Might as well.
He is as cheap and nasty.
And as lanky and as gormless and as usless as the Wolves manager
Come to think of it – he looks like a bleeding Wolf- Molineux is his natural habitat..
Farcical Apointment and totally apt for Arsenal 2019.
Gone by The Cup Final.
Dissenter, That’s not scaremongering. That is just stating the fact. Lots of small Eastern European clubs have been refused entry in the European competitions for less than that. Exemption are not given all the time. In fact in the premiership only 1 exemption was granted. It was Glen Roeder and it was after serious lobbying by the Newcastle chairman to all the other clubs following the initial refusal. Glen Roeder had the legitimate excuse that he was mid way through getting his when he suffered a brain tumor. Steve Bould does not have a UEFA Pro License either. He only… Read more »
Yes CG, Roder is 100% the same as Nuno…..
WE Not really. I think Pochettino is a great manager. The risk of things staying the same at Spurs was spoken about for years and stagnation that follows. Really did smack of that, big falling out with Levy and the one criticism I would have of Pochettino is I think he wanted to move on a while ago but didn’t have the balls. I honestly wouldn’t mind Nuno though. I think he’s been pretty disrespected by the level of criticism from some. Measured disappointment is understandable, but some of the hysterics about him would make you think we’re hiring someone… Read more »
How did Emery get his licence?
He doesn’t speak English.