In light of recent events, with Sam Allardyce’s dramatic exit, Arsenal are bracing themselves for an approach from the England Football Association in pursuit of Arsene Wenger. The North London side are, however, prepared to ward off any approach by handing Wenger a new contract.
The chiefs of the Football Association (FA) are interested in making Arsene Wenger the new head coach of the England senior football team. They are likely to keep a tab on Wenger and make enquiries about his availability next summer.
Wenger’s current deal expires at the end of the ongoing season and unless Arsenal offer him a new contract he could be up for the job. As reported in the Mirror, the Arsenal hierarchy will soon hold discussions with the manager and offer him a new deal to prolong his stay at the club. The 66-year-old is likely to be offered a new contract extension of two years, thereby tying him at the Emirates Stadium till the end of 2019-2020 season.
Also read: England should wait for Wenger, says former FA chief
Former England manager Sam Allardyce’s reign was put to an end by the sting operation by the Daily Telegraph after a 67-day outing. The FA has appointed England U-21 manager Gareth Southgate as the interim manager for the remaining four games of 2016 while they look for a viable replacement.
The FA wants Southgate to hold the fort until a new manager is assigned. However, if he succeeds in his new role, the FA might be convinced to give him the permanent job.
Wenger, who recently celebrated his 20-year anniversary at Arsenal, is still undecided in his future proceedings and insists that the season’s progress will be the deciding factor. If he feels that the team he has built over the years can achieve success he might be convinced to stay at the Premier League club.
Also read: Southgate undaunted by step up to senior England role
After a disastrous Euro campaign where they were ousted at the hands of minnows Iceland, Roy Hodgson resigned as the manager. The FA approached Wenger after Hodgson’s departure, but could not convince the committed manger to take up the job.
The FA could also fall back to former Hull City manager Steve Bruce who is currently unemployed. Reportedly, FA technical director Dan Ashworth is a big fan of Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe, while USA national-team boss Jurgen Klinsmann could be another contender. Crystal Palace's Alan Pardew is the bookies’ favourite.
Wenger, who has tasted success frequently at the Gunners club, although claimed in a Facebook Live event that he would not consider taking up an international job.
