MIKEL ARTETA has finally been named the new permanent manager at Arsenal.
The Spaniard signed on the dotted line to end a week of heavy negotiations and return to the Gunners.
Arsenal confirmed the appointment of Mikel Arteta on Friday, with the new manager now eyeing a strong backroom teamCredit: Getty – Contributor
Yet, now the speculation moves onto who will be joining him in his backroom staff, as Arteta looks to settle at Arsenal for years to come.
Reports have suggested that he could be set to take some of his friends at Manchester City to the capital, while there is speculation over what happens to interim boss Freddie Ljungberg.
Who has joined Arteta’s backroom staff?
STEVE ROUND
The former Aston Villa Director of Football is set to join Arteta at the Emirates as his new assistant coach.
The pair know each other from their Everton days, with the Spaniard a player and Round acting as David Moyes’ assistant.
He later moved to Manchester United as the same time as the Scottish manager, before spending two years at Villa Park until 2018.
Former Aston Villa director Round is expected to be Arteta’s first appointmentCredit: www.avillafan.com
INAKI CANA PAVON
The Spaniard has been named as Arsenal’s new goalkeeping coach, supporting his fellow countruman.
Pavon joins from Brentford, with his former clubs including Norwegian outfit Nordsjaelland and Barcelona’s academy.
The move for the goalkeeping coach appeared to be confirmed by Arsenal news guru David Ornstein via Twitter, after a former club shareholder posted regarding the Spaniard’s appointment.
FREDDIE LJUNGBERG
The Swede has not had it easy since taking over from Unai Emery as the caretaker manager.
Ljungberg has managed just one win in five ahead of his final match against Everton – but will be staying on for the time being.
The former Gunners star will return to his previous position, this time alongside Arteta, confirming his excitement to work with the Spaniard.
But the ex-Sweden international could return to his homeland, with Malmo keen on the 42-year-old taking over the helm as manager.
Freddie Ljungberg will return to the backroom staff at Arsenal after enduring a difficult time as interim managerCredit: AFP or licensors
ALBERT STUIVENBERG
Arteta has taken Wales assistant Albert Stuivenberg off of Ryan Giggs and brought him to the Emirates.
The 49-year-old is highly-rated and will form a part of the Spaniard’s team, working alongside Freddie Ljungberg and Steve Round.
Stuivenberg was a footballer back in his home country – but has shone brighter in management, spending time at Manchester United, Wales and Genk in various coaching capacities.
SAL BIBBO
The Basingstoke native will stay on in his current role as goalkeeping coach, but will work alongside Inaki Cana Pavon.
Bibbo spent his playing career in the lower leagues, while also featuring seven times for Reading in the 90s – later joining the Royals as a keeper coach.
He joined Arsenal in 2019 to work with the under-23s.
Who else has been linked?
RODOLFO BORRELL
Arteta has been targeting some of his old Man City colleagues to join him at Arsenal.
Among them is superstar coach Rodolfo Borrell, known for his expertise at nurturing young talent.
The Spaniard is one of Pep Guardiola’s assistants at the Etihad Stadium, having previously worked at Barcelona – where he helped turned the likes of Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta from talented youngsters to world beaters.
And now Arteta wants Borrell to help bring through the next generation at the Emirates, although Guardiola is keen to hold onto the Catalan.
Arteta is keen to bring Rodolfo Borrell with him to Arsenal from Manchester CityCredit: Reuters
SAM FAGBEMI
The talent-spotter may only be 25, but is highly-rated in England – and now Fagbemi is wanted to join Arteta at Arsenal.
The Man City youth scout has been linked with moving to the Emirates, in a similar role to his current one.
Fagbemi mainly works in the south, having picked out Millwall duo Sam Edozie and Darko Gyabi as future stars – with Man City going onto sign the pair.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
