CARLO ANCELOTTI is the “wrong choice” to replace Freddie Ljungberg at Arsenal, claimed Alan Smith.
But the club legend, 57, insisted Mikel Arteta “has what it takes” to be a success at the Emirates.
Carlo Ancelotti and Mikel Arteta have both been tipped to take over Arsenal permanently
Arsenal have managed just one win, two draws and a loss since Ljungberg took over from Unai Emery.
The interim manager has no idea whether he is in the running to take charge of the club on a permanent basis.
Ancelotti, 60, has been heavily linked since he was axed by Napoli, but Smith does not think he is the man for the job.
Writing in his column for the Evening Standard, he said: “Arsenal cannot lean on a solid rearguard this time, and that obvious lack of resilience and organisation makes the task so much harder for the new man.
“That’s why I repeat my firm belief that the situation demands an innovative, inspirational coach, someone with the ability to quickly instil a decisive vision and culture on the training ground that transfers to match days in a positive way.
“For me, someone like Carlo Ancelotti would be the wrong choice.
“As successful as the Italian has been, he’s more of an old-school manager who steadies the ship through clever man-management.
“Arsenal’s predicament has moved beyond that. It requires a tough visionary who can grab hold of his squad and fashion a way of playing that, in the short term, will achieve better results by making the team harder to play against.”
Depsite being heavily linked to the Gunners, SunSport revealed Ancelotti will hold face-to-face talks with Everton over becoming their new manager.
Manchester City assistant Arteta, who played for the Gunners from 2011 until 2016, is also in the running.
SunSport revealed Arteta, 37, wants to take charge of his former club – but not until he is given guarantees by the club’s hierarchy.
And Smith has insisted that the 37-year-old has what it takes to guide the Gunners back to their glory days.
He said: “I said it last week and I’ll say it again. Mikel Arteta has what it takes. I just hope that the Arsenal board feel the same way.”
Carlo Ancelotti to fly in for Everton talks in next 24 hours as Toffees steal march on Arsenal in race for new boss
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
