today-is-a-good-day
HomeNewsArsene Wenger Resigns: Luis Enrique Favourite To Replace The Frenchman

Arsene Wenger Resigns: Luis Enrique Favourite To Replace The Frenchman

Published on:

Former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique is currently leading the race to takeover at Arsenal after Wenger’s departure at the end of the season.

The Spaniard is available to take the job at the Emirates stadium as soon as Wenger parts ways with the club, having taken a break from management after his successful stint at Barcelona.

As Arsene Wenger have decided to step down as Arsenal boss at the end of the season, FootTheBall takes a look on who could replace him at the Emirates.

 

6) PATRICK VIEIRA

Gunners legend Patrick Vieira is one of the front runners in the race to replace Wenger at Arsenal next season.

Vieira captained the Gunners side when they last clinched the Premier League title in 2003/04 – the famous ‘Invincibles’ of Wenger.

Back in November 2015, Vieira was named the new head coach of MLS side New York City – taking over their inaugural boss Jason Kreis.

He tasted success in the very first season when they reached the play-offs having already finished second in their Eastern Conference campaign.

As a former Gunners skipper and legend he is being considered as one of the potential candidates for the Arsenal job next season.

5) THIERRY HENRY

Talking of Arsenal legends with little managerial experience, step forward outside bet Henry.

Gunners legend Thierry Henry has little managerial experience in comparison to others in the race to replace Wenger at the Emirates. However, the Arsenal hierarchy could opt to think out of the box and hand the responsibility of taking the side forward to the Frenchman, who is considered as one of the best strikers in the history of Arsenal.

HENRYSince hanging his boots, Henry has taken the role of a pundit for Sky Sports, but the former Barca man is serious about taking up a coaching role and was also named the assistant manager of the Belgian national team under head coach Roberto Martinez in August 2016.

The Red Devils lost their first game under the Martinez-Henry partnership but since then Kevin De Bruyne and Co have displayed sublime form and will lock horns with England in the group stages of the World Cup this summer.

Henry have already secured his UEFA Pro Licence and is eyeing to follow the footsteps of his former team-mate Zinedine Zidane. But the question of the hour is that whether he is ready to takeover at Arsenal, considering the recent situation the Gunners are in.

4) JOACHIM LOW

Germany under the able leadership of Joachim Low are one of the favourites to lift the World Cup again in Russia this summer. Pundits believe that a successful title defence could offer him the best opportunity to step down from the national job with his head held high with pride.

Germany has played perfect attacking football during his tenure of 12 years and counting and this would surely garner attention of the Arsenal hierarchy.

Low started as assistant to Jurgen Klinsmann but in 2006 he was named the head coach of the German national team. In five of his major tournaments, Low ended on the losing side in three semi-finals (2010, 2012 and 2016), one final (to Spain at Euro 2008) but he anchored the Germans to lift the World Cup in 2014, all thanks to Mario Gotze’s extra-time goal.

3) THOMAS TUCHEL

The German international rose to fame when he replaced Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund in 2015 and brought back life into an underperforming squad. He shuffled formations at regular basis and got the best out of his players – especially Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is now with the Gunners.

Dortmund finished second and third in the league during his stint at the Bundesliga club. He led them to DFB-Pokal triumph in May 2017, but he was sacked just three days later.

The Gunners are looking out for someone who can transform the squad into a deadly force in England – like they used to be and have their eye on Tuchel as one of the potential candidates. He like Wenger is known for nurturing young talent and this could land him the Arsenal job despite being heavily linked with PSG.

2) MASSIMILIANO ALLEGRI

Allegri is currently fighting a two-horse race with Napoli at the top of Serie A as Juventus chase a seventh successive league title – and a fourth under the 50-year-old. But could it be time for the Italian to explore pastures new?

Juventus boss Allegri is currently focused on a neck-to-neck battle with Napoli at the top of the Serie A table with Juve eyeing to clinch a seventh consecutive league title – and the fourth under the former AC Milan boss. However many believe that it is time for him to test new waters.

Allegri

Allegri’s teams are known for being strong in possession and rock-solid in defence – and this is actually what the Gunners are currently looking for. So, will he be the next Gunners boss? Only time will tell.

1) Luis Enrique

Luis Enrique

Luis Enrique is high on Arsenal’s list of replacements for Wenger.

The Spaniard enjoyed immense success as Barcelona boss, winning five trophies in his first season including the Uefa Champions League – the one trophy that Arsenal could not win in the Wenger era,

According to reports, the Gunners have contacted the Spaniard, who is holding out for a bumper contract.

So who next then?

Courtesy of Betfair, here’s the early betting…

6/1 – Carlo Ancelotti
7/1 – Thomas Tuchel
8/1 – Massimiliano Allegri
8/1 – Brendan Rodgers
8/1 – Mikel Arteta
8/1 – Joachim Low
10/1 – Thierry Henry
10/1 – Lucien Favre

The Wenger Era

Premier League:

Winners (3) – 1997/98, 2001/02, 2003/04
Runners-up (6) – 1998/99, 1999/00, 2000/01, 2002/03, 2004/05, 2015/16

FA Cup:

Winners (7) – 1997/98, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2004/05, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2016/17
Runners-up (1) – 2000/01
League Cup:

Runners-up (3) – 2006/07, 2010/11, 2017/18

Champions League:

Finalist (1) – 2005/06

UEFA Cup:

Finalist (1) – 1999/00

Community Shield:

Winners (6) – 1998/99, 1999/2000, 2002/03, 2004/05, 2014/15, 2015/16
Runners-up (2) – 2003/04, 2005/06

Premier League Manager of the Season: (3)1997/98, 2001/02, 2003/04

League Managers’ Association Manager of the Year: 2001/02, 2003/04

BBC Sports Personality Coach of the Year: 2002, 2004

Premier League Manager of the Month: 15 times

Anirban Das
Anirban Das's journey to Delhi via Kolkata involves football, music, curiosity (which one day can kill the cat) and food. Following global football opens up an infinite space within him in both the conscious and subconscious self, away from the din and bustle of the madding crowd. Supports Manchester United & Barcelona

also read