The buzz around Great Britain is that longshot candidate Unai Emery will be the next manager of Arsenal FC, which has many football fans and commentators across England scratching their heads.
The club has not formally announced any decision, but several UK newspapers are reporting that Emery has won the job. Oddsmakers had him at 12/1 to succeed longtime Gunner manager Arsene Wenger, who piloted the team for 22 years.
Emery, who has a history as a player and manager in Spain’s La Liga and most recently managed Paris Saint-Germain in France’s top league, has never coached a game in the English Premier League.
But the 46-year-old though could be a good fit for Arsenal, who finished sixth this season, the club’s lowest finish in Wenger’s 22-year career.
Emery has the reputation as both a player’s coach and a disciplinarian — something that perhaps didn’t sit well at PSG with with Neymar Jr. He also is a proven winner, having claimed the Europa League title three consecutive years while managing Sevilla. Another plus is his success managing clubs that don’t have a lot of financial resources. That was the situation at Sevilla and he still managed to thrive.
Fans Hold Their Nose
But news of Emery’s taking the reins did not sit well Gunners fans, who expressed their displeasure on Twitter.
The move confused and angered former Arsenal star Ian Wright, who like many, was backing Mikel Arteta, the current coach at EPL-leading Manchester City. Sportsbooks had him as the 11/5 favorite.
Wright went on British television and likened the pick to choosing outdated fish.
“It’s like they’re at the sushi shop,” Wright said. “You know the stuff that’s going past? Yeah, I’ll have that. I’ll take that. I’ll leave those ones. No, I’ll take that one now.”
Wright also said the hiring process for his former team was unfair, especially to Arteta.
“Why have they strung Arteta along?” Wright asked. “Why not be honest and say, ‘This is what we are going to go for now.’ Is it because of the public sway? It just seems really desperate.”
Rumors Swirl Around Arteta
It might have been a case, however, of Arteta turning down the job. There were reports that he was not happy about not having a say in personnel matters. Also, the team has just $50 million for transfers — a low amount to pursue quality players in the offseason, which may have contributed to his supposedly opting out.
But other media have reported that the former Arsenal star was eager to return to his team. They wrote that Arteta didn’t see the $50 million as a major hinderance and believed he could work with the players he would inherit.
One UK tabloid said Arteta had agreed in principle to a three-year deal. Then on Monday reports started to trickle out that Emery had interviewed for the job and the club would be making him an offer.