ARSENAL have reportedly held their first interviews for managers to succeed Unai Emery.
The Spaniard was sacked after the dismal 2-1 home defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League.
Massimiliano Allegri is out of work and believed to be on Arsenal’s shortlistCredit: Reuters
Freddie Ljungberg was placed in temporary charge, but he has only managed a draw and a loss in his first two games.
And now, according to The Telegraph, the club are pushing ahead with identifying the man who will take over in the long-term.
The focus will apparently be on securing the services of a manager who is currently out of work and who can step in immediately.
Despite a rocky start, Ljungberg has not been discounted, while the likes of Massimiliano Allegri and even former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino could make the shortlist.
Mauricio Pochettino was brutally sacked by Spurs – could he move across North LondonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Gunners panel, consisting of technical director Edu, head of football Raul Sanllehi and managing director Vinai Venkatesham will be conducting the interviews.
SunSport has previously speculated who else could be under consideration.
Among those thought to be high up the list of contenders are Brendan Rodgers, and Mikel Arteta.
But the top candidates have large stumbling blocks.
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Rodgers has shut down talk of leaving Leicester with the club currently second in the table.
And Arteta may be reluctant to abandon his job as assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City in the middle of the season.
When it comes to Allegri, he has said he isn’t interested in any job until the summer.
Pochettino’s ties to Spurs – despite them sacking him – could be too much to overcome.
Other names linked have included Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe and Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
Sacked ex-Valencia manager Marcelino, club legend Patrick Vieira, and Rafael Benitez, who currently holds a lucrative post at Dalian Yifang, are also thought to be in the picture.
Carlo Ancelotti has been under pressure amid the chaos at Napoli this season and might be tempted.
Beijing Gouan boss Bruno Genesio have also been loosely linked with the job.
Brendan Rodgers says Arsenal move ‘not logical’ as top target insists he is happy at Leicester
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
