If the rumours are to believed, Thomas Tuchel, the former Borussia Dortmund manager has refused an opportunity to join Bayern Munich, in favour of an offer from Arsenal to replace Arsene Wenger,
This may be the case but let’s have a look at the details so far. Tuchel has definitely refused an offer from the prestigious German club, but it would be an astonishing turn around in Arsenal’s ingrained philosophy to act in this way before the season has even finished and with the side still competing in the Europa league.
Indicators are that the Arsenal board has indeed run out of patience with Wenger, but does that mean that he is about to suffer the indignity of being replaced with his contract still in place?
If that is the case, it’s very unusual for a club that has been so inconsistent in its actions. It’s dithered with its contract negotiations, it’s dithered with the manager’s contract extension and dithered constantly over acquiring transfers targets.
The brave new World that was indicated by CEO Ivan Gazidis, didn’t really materialise in the harsh light of day. What transpired was a lightweight form of backroom tinkering that changed absolutely nothing, apart from the exciting appointment of Sven Mislintat.
So, if the North London club are about to break their own moral code and dispense with Wenger, who has served them so well, in such a brutal fashion, it would represent a massive climb down and degree of treachery.
I want change. Arsenal and its fans have suffered for too long. Circumstances have been allowed to get out of control and the clubs inability to move forward has meant an inevitable decline in their status and position in the Premiership. Yet, one feels a degree of sympathy for Wenger. He is not solely responsible for the clubs downward spiral. At least he has shown the courage to take the blame, whilst others slink off to hide behind him.
He has been instrumental in his own demise by stubbornly standing by players, refusing to buy in key areas and by refusing to change his tactics to suit the opposition. Wenger is guilty of all of the above but others have been quick to help him on his way. The board have lacked the courage to act, while the owner wandered around the US agreeing lucrative endorsements for other ventures and most annoying of all, the players at Arsenal stopped playing.
Thomas Tuchel is highly regarded and a number of clubs are likely to change managers in the summer. He would not be short of offers, the Worlds elite clubs are watching the situation with interest and the likes of PSG and even Real Madrid may make an approach in the summer.
Thomas Tuchel is definitely high on Arsenal’s list but one suspects he is just one of a number of candidates which will include every top manager in the World, apart from Pep Guardiola and the entirely unsuitable Jose Mourinho. At this stage, it would be best to consider the Gunners methods of conducting its business and that the assumption that Thomas Tuchel is in the wings is 70% rumour, 10% misguided expectation and 20% circumstantial.
