Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hinted earlier this week that he'd consider his club future after the 2016 / 2017 season. The Frenchman will complete 20 years with the North London club this calendar year and said his future depends on the kind of season the Gunners have.
With Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Jose Mourinho at Manchester United and Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, Arsenal legend Ray Parlour says there's only one candidate who can replace the Frenchman at the Emirates.
“The favourite would be Simeone," he said.
“He demands out of his players and he’s a bit more defensive minded. But he is Atletico Madrid manager.
“It’s a situation where you don’t know. Who’s available? Who’s available at that time of their reign?
“You’ve always got to assess the situation that season.It won’t be easy to find a new manager because the Guardiolas and the Mourinhos have long-term contracts now.
“Ronald Koeman would have been a good spot but Everton have got him now which is great for them. They should do well.
“But Simeone is always mentioned.”
Arsenal were linked with Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola for a long time. Klopp because he could take over Wenger and build the kind of legacy he built at Borussia Dortmund. Pep because it's Arsenal and the passing game is what Pep has always preached – a seamless integration into a team who already knows his methods.
With neither of options now available for the next few years at least, Parlour may be right about there not being anyone else who could replace the Frenchman at Arsenal. Simeone was been brilliant for Atletico Madrid getting them to the finals of the UEFA Champions League twice and even usurping Real Madrid and Barcelona for a season by winning the La Liga.
His passion on the touchline combined with his ability to inspire and buy the best players in the business will be a huge bonus for the North London club. Arsenal will need to invest in someone as experienced to avoid what is often referred to as 'a David Moyes' situation.
