What a few day it has been! Arsene Wenger has announced he is finally set to leave Arsenal after 22 years in charge, and now the hunt for his replacement begins.
There has been lots of chatter in recent weeks about who Arsenal want to replace Wenger when the day finally comes, well, it has arrived, and that newspaper chatter is now going to have to progress into formal negotiations.
One man thought to be wanted by the Gunners is former Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel, who has been out of work for a number of months. His availability has attracted attention from the likes of Chelsea and PSG as well, and while nothing has been signed or confirmed yet, reports in Germany claim that he has informally agreed to take over with the newly crowned French champions at the end of the season, when Unai Emery will be relieved of his duties. However, despite this, he is still third favourite with the bookmakers.
There has also been chatter about Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri who is reportedly learning English ahead of a move to the Premier League. However, despite some fans clamouring for the Gunners to appoint the Italian, the bookmakers have only priced him at 13/2, while he is 4/1 to take over at Chelsea.
The top candidate for the Chelsea job is in fact former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique, but Enrique is also being linked with a move to Arsenal and is was initially fourth favourite to get the job, but reports in recent days have seen his odds shorten dramatically. Interestingly, Spanish Football expert Guillem Balague said that Enrique was really interested in the Arsenal job and that there ‘wouldn’t need to be much negotiation if an offer were to come.’ Maybe one to watch?
Another manager who has links with Chelsea is Carlo Ancelotti. He took the Blues to the domestic double in his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge, and has been out of work since September when he was sacked by Bayern Munich. Ancelotti has refused to rule himself out of the running for the Arsenal job, although he has since been offered the chance to take the Italian National Team job.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry ruled himself out of the role, but his former teammate and captain Patrick Vieira has been tipped as a future Arsenal manager by Arsene Wenger himself. However, maybe this job has come a little too soon for the NYCFC boss. He is priced at 14/1.
There have also been links to the likes of Joachim Low (Germany) and Leonardo Jardim (Monaco) while Gary Neville has urged the Gunners to appoint Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone.
Elsewhere, former Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta is thought to be wanted by Ivan Gazidis and has seen his odds slashed to replace his former boss. Brendan Rodgers and Julian Nagelsmann are also thought to on Arsenal’s shortlist.
The front runners
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LUIS ENRIQUE – 11/4
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MIKEL ARTETA – 6/1
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MASSIMILIANO ALLEGRI – 13/2
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CARLO ANCELOTTI – 10/1
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JOACHIM LOW – 10/1
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BRENDAN RODGERS – 12/1
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PATRICK VIEIRA – 14/1
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LEONARDO JARDIM – 16/1
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THOMAS TUCHEL – 20/1
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JULIAN NAGELSMANN – 20/1
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