ARSENAL have held talks with Marcelino to replace Unai Emery – but the ex-Valencia manager fears he won’t get job because he’s Spanish, according to reports.
The Spaniard, 54, is confident he will be offered the job – but fears he is at a disadvantage due to his nationality, say ESPN.
Arsenal have ‘held talks with Marcelino who fears he won’t get job as he’s Spanish’
Marcelino – who was sacked by Valencia in September – joins Mikel Arteta, Patrick Vieira and Massimiliano Allegri as the front-runners for the Gunners job.
Mauricio Pochettino – sacked by arch-rivals Tottenham – earlier this season, is another rumoured to be on the club’s radar.
Emery was sacked by Arsenal at the end of last month amidst a horror run of form – culminating in the 2-1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League.
But Marcelino is thought to be in pole position after he landed in London on Monday to hammer out a deal.
However, the Spaniard fears he will be tarred with the same brush as Emery – as he is Spanish and, like the former Gunners chief, also managed Sevilla and Valencia.
Marcelino has previously been linked with the Everton job, currently held by interim chief Duncan Ferguson after Marco Silva was sacked.
Head of football Raul Sanllehi is stepping up the search for Emery’s replacement – thought to NOT be interim chief Freddie Ljungberg.
The Swedish former “Invincible” oversaw his first win as boss in the 3-1 victory over West Ham on Monday night.
But that result followed a shock defeat at home to Brighton and a tame draw against Norwich.
Now Arsenal technical director Edu appears to be pushing to sign one of Ljunberg’s old team-mates, Vieira, from Nice.
Arsenal hold interviews with first candidates to replace Emery with focus on bosses out of work including Allegri
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
