Arsenal plan talks over Arsene Wenger successor with Luis Enrique and Massimiliano Allegri on long-list

In contention | Former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique
AFP/Getty Images
James Olley1 May 2018

Arsenal plan to hold talks with several possible candidates before deciding on Arsene Wenger’s successor.

Chief executive Ivan Gazidis is determined to pursue a rigorous and thorough process in conjunction with head of recruitment Sven Mislintat and head of football relations Raul Sanllehi.

It is understood the club have now drawn up a long list of potential options which includes Luis Enrique, Massimiliano Allegri and Carlo Ancelotti with Leonardo Jardim, Julian Nagelsmann, Mikel Arteta and Patrick Vieira also under consideration.

Enrique has already met with senior figures at the club. It has been reported that the Spaniard’s salary demands – almost double the £8million-a-year Arsenal currently pay Wenger – has put the Arsenal hierarchy off.

While that figure would indeed prove problematic, the Gunners are yet to settle on their first choice and are believed to be keen to sound out Allegri next over his availability.

Standard Sport understands Arsenal contacted Allegri through an intermediary towards the end of last season when Wenger was under huge pressure to depart.

Allegri was thought to be open to the idea but the Gunners ended up winning the FA Cup with Wenger signing a new deal.

The Italian later agreed terms on a contract extension, tying him to Juventus until 2020 but Arsenal are thought to want to discuss how he would take the team forward following Wenger’s exit, especially with Mislintat and Sanllehi now in place having joined in December and February respectively.

There are concerns over Allegri’s conservative style of play, especially given Gazidis publicly cited that as one of the key factors in the club’s decision.

The prospect of Ancelotti taking over – perhaps with Arteta or Vieira as an understudy – increased a little this morning after it emerged Roberto Mancini is expected to agree a deal to become the new Italy boss.

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Ancelotti had been approached about the role but is believed to prefer a job in the Premier League. He has made no secret of his interest in succeeding Wenger.

The 58-year-old fits the ‘statesmanlike’ aspect of Arsenal’s brief and he has a track record of success having won the Champions League three times but there are figures at the club who would prefer a younger manager with a stronger background in promoting young players.

Meanwhile, preparations are gathering pace for Wenger’s final home game in charge against Burnley.

The Gunners travel to Spain tomorrow for their Europa League semi-final, second leg against Atletico Madrid before playing Burnley this weekend, when members of Arsenal’s ‘100 club’ - players to have made more than 100 appearances – have been invited to attend.

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