04 Oct 2013 11:51:59
So at some point in most likely the near future (next 3 years) Wenger is going to step down from manager of the club and take on a new role within the Arsenal family. With that said who would we like as a replacement?

Do we go unrealistic and go for Guardiola who I personally think hasn't proved himself. now wait before you jump down my throat. He inherited a great squad at Barcelona and in fairness anyone could have managed them to the success they achieved with him as they were by far the best team in the world at that time. With his move to Bayern he has inherited arguably the best team in Europe at present as was seen this past week where they made Man City look like sunday league players at times.

Then there is Mourinho who I personally don't want near my club as I think he is a disruptive influence an goes to club for 3 -4 years spends a tonne of money and then says bye.

Then there is the romantics among us who say Bergkamp, Adams et al. Not for me in a coaching role all day long but not as the top dog they haven't got the experience.

I have 4 managers in my mind at present with a bit of a romantic edge on 1 of them.

First choice Jürgen Klopp for me looks to have the same values and beliefs that Wenger and Arsenal share. He is not afraid to invest in youth and likes a fluid passing game.

Second Choice Antonio Conte he has proved himself all be it in a weaker Italian set up but has dropped down leagues to learn and craft his trade winning Serie B with Bari that led to his move to Atlanta where he got found wanting and moved to Sienna winning them promotion to Serie A. This led him to Juventus where he has won the Scudetto.

Third choice Frank De Boer who has the dutch mentality of passing flowing football and has grown up as a player and manager with Ajax as everyone knows famed for their excellence in producing talent. He was touted as a potential Liverpool manager but wanted to continue to learn and craft his trade at Ajax.

Fourth choice and the romantic element Steve Bould. He has learnt and crafted his trade with Arsenal coming up through the junior team management and knows what Arsenal want inside and out and is currently learning from the best we have ever had in Wenger.

Just some thoughts let me know yours

1.) 04 Oct 2013
You can add Diego Simone and Remi Garde to that list. :)

2.) 04 Oct 2013
Bergkamp.

3.) 04 Oct 2013
If Jurgen Klopp was out of the picture, I genuinely believe Michael Laudrup would suit you guys down to the ground. Guy has a lot of class, and with a couple more years in the game at Swansea believe he will be ready to make the step.

4.) 04 Oct 2013
I think stojkovic will be on the short list from grampus 8

5.) 04 Oct 2013
No disrespect to big Tony because he was a fantastic player captain and as brave loyal and committed as anyone could ever ask anyone to be.

But to hear his name even mentioned romantically or in other way when talking about Asenes successor make me shudder.

I saw and worse still HEARD enough at Portsmouth to frighten me for the rest of time.
Sorry Tony love the bloke but terrified of the manager

6.) 04 Oct 2013
Klopp or Laudrup. Maybe even Martinez depending on how he does at Everton. Don't want Garde or the Serb bloke whose supposedly wenger's mentor.

7.) 04 Oct 2013
Er, Original AG, Wenger is HIS Mentor and has been for years! Stojkovic was always seen by Arsene as his successor but he was offered the No. 2 job here a number of years ago and turned it down so now it's not nailed on. I agree that if Klopp continues to do amazing things at BVB and Laudrup continues his success at Swansea they are very much in the running. Martinez? - don't make me laugh.

8.) 04 Oct 2013
Ozil 24 Ramsey's 22 Gibbs 24; and no need to use the P word when talking about them now, Wilshere Ox Theo Jenkinson are all within touching distance so don't see Arsene going any where in next 5 to 7 years he's waited to long to not enjoy the fruits of his work.
By then we could be talking about completely new candidates or have our own home grown

9.) 04 Oct 2013
I think michael laudrup is proving to be a very good manager. I like him because he just let's his team do the talking. my choice everytime. I admire mourinho but at same time he always tries to be bigger than the club he is managing. and his teams play a bit too defensive for my liking (although to be fair he has won champs league twice by playing defensively and stifling the opposition)

10.) 05 Oct 2013
I wouldn't mind seeing Prandelli, especally if that came with the signing of ballotelli