The Arsenal board has always been consistent and committed in their backing of the Frenchman but the feeling continues to grow that it could be time for a change at Emirates Stadium.
Never mind fantasy options like Diego Simeone or Jose Mourinho, personalities alien to what Wenger has cultivated over 20 years at the club, here are five common sense candidates should the Frenchman’s time in north London draw to a close this summer.
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FRANK DE BOER
Frank de Boer: Four Eredivisie titles in five seasons with Ajax.
Despite a desire to manage in the Premier League, the former Dutch international has rebuffed interest in the past from Liverpool, Tottenham and Newcastle, meaning either he thinks its too soon to leave Ajax or is holding out for a bigger job.Preaches the sort of possession-based football Arsenal fans will love, while has also showed a commitment to developing young players. De Boer’s golden ticket could also be the promise of Dennis Bergkamp, his assistant in Amsterdam, returning to north London.
EDDIE HOWE
Eddie Howe took Bournemouth into the Premier League, and looks to be keeping them there.
England’s bright young thing has done a remarkable job at Bournemouth with the Cherries top-flight status all-but secure in a season he’s had to contend with long-term injuries to key first-team players, and it can only be so long before the Cherries are inundated with offers. Howe is the sort of cerebral and understated individual the Gunners board would appreciate and has shown he can get maximum results from a relatively limited budget.
RONALD KOEMAN
Ronald Koeman has European and Premier League pedigree.
Would be on the shortlist of most Premier League clubs after doing an admirable job in firstly steadying the ship at Southampton the wake of so many departures and then even improving the Saints. The Dutchman, though, has grown frustrated at a lack of transfer funds on the south coast potentially preventing the club from making the next step into the top four and would undoubtedly be interested.
PHILLIP COCU
Phillip Cocu guided PSV to the Champions League last 16.
There’s just something about Cocu that screams ‘Arsenal’. Led PSV Eindhoven to the Dutch title last with a young core of players and despite having to sell Memphis Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum in the summer, has impressively kept them top of the Eredivisie and into the Champions League last 16 while remaining dedicated to his principles. An intelligent individual who is a coach very much on the rise.
QUIQUE SANCHEZ FLORES
Quique Sanchez Flores described the FA Cup win at Arsenal as the best of his career.
The Spaniard’s work with Watford has slipped slightly under the radar due to the likes of Tottenham and Leicester overachieving so much this season. A brilliant man manager who now has Premier League experience to add to an already fine CV also including Valencia and Atletico which shows he knows how to operate at a ‘big club’.
