He’s a recognised winner but it appears Luis Enrique has ensured that he will not be the next Arsenal manager. Tentative enquires ended when Enrique’s representative indicated a number of basic demands including his salary, thought to be in the region of £25 million per season according to reports in The Sun, and the availability of a transfer war chest of around £200 million.
The Arsenal Hierarchy were already divided on Enrique but it seems that initial discussions ceased on the realisation on these demands. Not that he isn’t worth it but it’s unrealistic for a club like Arsenal to break its financial restraints on someone who is untested in the premier league.
The club want someone prepared to build success as opposed to buying it and the North London club are placing as much importance on their academy players as they are recruiting new ones. Money is available and regardless of an imminent appointment, Sven Mislintat is already working on three, possibly four acquisitions, the combined sum of which will not even come close to £200 Million.
The incoming manager may even arrive after the recruitment drive has even been concluded, such is the belief in Mislintat to unearth hidden gems. Enrique’s pedigree in La Liga with Barcelona is exemplary, delivering the treble in 2014/15 but it may have little baring in the fiercely competitive Premier League where surprises occur almost weekly.
Gazidis is now working on securing a new manager but it’s in the early stages.
Arsenal are looking for someone who has the same philosophy as Wenger and to continue the style he introduced, regardless of their current profile or status in football, that much is becoming clear.
It may not be one of the main contenders that are so prominent in the media and at the bookmakers, it may even be a ‘who?’ appointment, harking back to the day Wenger took charge. The incoming boss will have displayed a love for style and class, regardless of recent results or the position in the league and that ethos will be enough to secure the position.
Gazidis will busy meeting with representatives but it’s said that one man, in particular, is the focus of his attention but an announcement may not be made imminently because it would detract from Wenger’s final games and fond farewell to the Arsenal faithful.
He has a point in this respect, even though the next manager will have already signed on the dotted line and is likely to be introduced to staff including Wenger, too swift an announcement would be a brutal and almost insulting end to the Frenchman’s Arsenal career. Wenger has always shown immeasurable class in the way he has conducted himself and although he may not be able to control proceedings, he should be respected to the fullest extent.
There are still a lot of balls in the air in respect of that final decision on the appointment. Chelsea’s Antonio Conte is still a name that keeps popping up in conversations I’m having with sources but his position is unclear. Abramovich isn’t about to show his cards at this moment in time and Arsenal may not have the time to sit idly by whilst circumstances develop elsewhere.
