Sports
Arsenal’s 14-man shortlist to replace Arsene Wenger including Massimiliano Allegri, Joachim Low and Thierry Henry
ARSENAL are understood to have compiled a 14-man shortlist in their hunt to identify Arsene Wenger’s Emirates replacement.
The latest shock name under consideration is Jose Mourinho’s Manchester Unitedassistant Rui Faria.
SunSport unveils some of the names likely to be on the list – and assesses their chance of becoming the first new Gunners boss in 22 years.
Check out the full list, below…
MASSIMILIANO ALLEGRI
Juventus chief has made no secret of his interest in coming to the Premier League and could have the choice of Arsenal or Chelsea.
The Italian is the new bookies’ favourite and just waiting for the call.
Gunner rating: If Arsenal want him, he’ll want them.
JOACHIM LOW
Germany boss has plenty of admirers for his work with the world champions but he has signalled he wants to stay on with Die Mannschaft until 2020.
Could be a Real Madrid target too if he changes his mind.
Gunner rating: Plenty of people at the Emirates would fancy him but does not seem likely.
LEONARDO JARDIM
Portuguese boss of Monaco made a massive impact as he steered a fledgling team to last year’s Champions League semi-finals and then had half of the side sold that summer.
An English speaker who is ready for a new challenge.
Gunner rating: Appears to have slipped down the radar this season but could re-emerge.
THOMAS TUCHEL
Former Borussia Dortmund coach appeared the perfect Arsenal fit given his relationship with new Emirates big-hitter Sven Mislintat.
But while Tuchel fell out with the Dortmund players and Arsenal dithered, PSG pounced and he is expected to be announced as Unai Emery’s successor later this month.
Gunner rating: Too late – they’ve missed the boat.
RUI FARIA
Surprise candidate, especially given his long-standing close relationship with Jose Mourinho.
Initially a fitness coach under Mourinho, whom he first met at Barcelona, during their period with Leiria, and has moved up the pecking order as a loyal lieutenant.
Gunner rating: A shock contender and even more of a shock appointment.
CARLO ANCELOTTI
Double-winner with Chelsea in 2010 before harshly sacked a year later for only finishing second, Ancelotti is the ultimate managerial fixer.
He’s got Juve, Milan, Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich on his CV, too.
Has a home in London and would definitely fancy it.
Gunner rating: If Arsenal want a smooth transition, there is nobody smoother.
PATRICK VIEIRA
Wenger’s first Arsenal signing and still revered by Gunners fans for his role as the midfield enforcer of the Invincibles.
Fell out with his fellow Frenchman and ended up on the payroll at Manchester City’s global empire.
Currently coaching their New York offshoot in the MLS.
Gunner rating: Despite his Arsenal past, City might have first call on his future.
BRENDAN RODGERS
Success at Celtic has given Rodgers his sheen back after his last 18 months at Liverpool became increasingly tough.
Rodgers is thought to have been house-hunting in the London area and would relish the prospect of another big Premier League job.
Gunner rating: Winning with a dominant Celtic not the same as competing against City and United but would play attractive football.
JULIAN NAGELSMANN
The Hoffenheim coach was only 28 and the youngest coach in Bundesliga history when he took charge in 2015.
He has already made a steady and strong impression with his youth and enthusiasm.
Under contract until 2021 but ambitious and would relish the challenge.
Gunner rating: Youth against him – but Stan Kroenke appointed a 30-year-old head coach at the Los Angeles Rams last year.
DIEGO SIMEONE
Many have seen the Europa League semi-final as a public audition for the Argentine pitbull.
In which case, being sent to the stands after 12 minutes last week probably did not help.
A defensive coach who preaches team values and a proven winner. Anything goes in the pursuit of success
Gunner rating: Would give Arsenal backbone but unclear the fans would want to watch a team play so cautiously.
MIKEL ARTETA
Former Gunners midfielder is another who has joined the City staff, where he is part of Pep Guardiola’s backroom team.
Has impressed many by bringing the same calmness he showed on the pitch to a coaching role.
But hard to see him returning as the main man.
Gunner rating: More likely to come back as part of a coaching team rather than the boss.
THIERRY HENRY
Arsenal’s greatest striker, arguably their greatest player, and cutting his coaching teeth as Roberto Martinez’ Belgium No2.
Whether the Frenchman would really fancy getting his hands dirty every day, when he has a lucrative Sky contract in his pocket, is another matter.
Gunner rating: Blotted his copybook with some perceived criticisms of Wenger but would be a huge popular candidate.
MAURIZIO SARRI
Chain-smoking Napoli boss has made his side one of the most attractive in Italy.
He’s had the Neapolitans dreaming of a first Serie A crown since Diego Maradona’s day before the weekend thumping at Fiorentina.
Appears to have tired of owner Aurelio De Laurentiis and would be open to the chance.
Gunner rating: Philosophy would seem a natural fit but not a proven winner.
ZELJKO BUVAC
For so long Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp’s No2, Buvac is now being strongly tipped with the soon-to-be vacant position at Arsenal.
Said to be the real brains behind the Reds’ exhausting “Gegenpress” defensive tactic, Buvac could be the man to finally add some grit to the Gunners’ back-line.
Gunner rating: Strong defensive mindset but lacks experience as a No1 manager, having spent just three years at German minnows Neukirchen.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the appointment of German tactician Bruno Labbadia as the new Head Coach of Nigeria’s Senior Men’s National Team, the Super Eagles.
This development was announced by the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, in the early hours of Tuesday, following the approval of the NFF Executive Committee based on a recommendation from its Technical and Development Sub-Committee. Labbadia’s appointment takes immediate effect.
Born on 8th February 1966 in Darmstadt, Germany, Labbadia enjoyed a distinguished playing career, earning two caps for the German national team. His club career included stints at prominent clubs such as Darmstadt 98, Hamburger SV, FC Kaiserslautern, Bayern Munich, FC Cologne, Werder Bremen, Arminia Bielefeld, and Karlsruher SC. Notably, he won the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich in 1994.
Labbadia’s coaching career has seen him manage top-tier clubs such as Hertha Berlin, VfB Stuttgart, VfL Wolfsburg, Hamburger SV, and Bayer Leverkusen, among others. He holds a UEFA Pro License and is well-regarded for his tactical acumen.
With his appointment, Labbadia becomes the sixth German to lead the Super Eagles, following in the footsteps of Karl-Heinz Marotzke, Gottlieb Göller, Manfred Höner, Berti Vogts, and Gernot Rohr. Höner notably guided the Super Eagles to a runner-up finish at the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations, while Rohr qualified Nigeria for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Labbadia’s immediate task is to prepare the Super Eagles for their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches.
Nigeria will face Benin Republic on Saturday, 7th September in Uyo, and Rwanda on Tuesday, 10th September in Kigali. The team will also play four additional qualifying matches in October and November as they aim to secure a spot in the 2025 AFCON, scheduled to be held from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
The Super Eagles, placed in Group D, will face familiar foes Benin Republic, who recently defeated Nigeria in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The draw for the AFCON qualifiers, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, last month, also sees Nigeria taking on Libya and Rwanda, both of whom are also part of the Super Eagles’ group for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers set to be hosted in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Labbadia’s appointment comes at a crucial time as the Super Eagles look to regain their dominance on the African continent and secure qualification for both the AFCON and the World Cup.
Finidi George has stepped into a new role as the technical manager for NPFL side, Rivers United, following his resignation as coach of the Super Eagles.
During his brief tenure with the Eagles, George’s 1-1 draw against South Africa in Uyo and a 2-1 loss to Benin Republic in Abidjan cast doubts on Nigeria’s World Cup qualification, prompting calls from fans for his dismissal.
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Nevertheless, Rivers United, the 2021-22 champions, expressed optimism in a statement on Wednesday via their official handle about having the former Eagles international manage their team.
“Finidi brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our team, having had a distinguished playing career spanning over fifteen years,” the statement read.
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Dr. Okey Kpalukwu, General Manager of Rivers United FC, welcomed George, stating, “We are delighted to have Finidi George join our team. His appointment marks a new chapter in our club’s history, and we are committed to working together to achieve success.”
Expressing his gratitude to the club, an elated George remarked, “I am honored to have this opportunity, and I thank the Sports Commissioner, the General Manager, and the supporters for their confidence in me. I am committed to working hard and making the team win.”
Inter Milan were taken over by US fund Oaktree on Wednesday after the Serie A champions’ outgoing owners Suning missed a deadline to repay a debt worth hundred of millions of euros.
In a statement, Oaktree announced they had “assumed control” of Inter after the non-repayment of a “three-year loan to Inter Milan’s holding companies that matured on 21 May 2024 with a total balance due of approximately 395 million euros ($428 million)”.
Chinese conglomerate Suning have relinquished control of Inter to Oaktree three days after the team were officially crowned Italian champions for the 20th time.
Suning borrowed 275 million euros at over 12 percent interest three years ago to pay staff and players as the Covid-19 pandemic ravaged the finances of clubs across Europe, putting up their controlling stake in the club as collateral.
“Oaktree is dedicated to achieving the best outcome for the long-term prosperity of Inter Milan, with an initial focus on operational and financial stability for the Club and its stakeholders,” Oaktree continued.
Inter became a powerful force at home and abroad after Suning acquired the club in 2016, with seven trophies including two Serie A titles and two European finals.
Simone Inzaghi’s team cruised to this year’s championship, winning the Scudetto with five matches remaining by beating AC Milan in a thrilling local derby.
Oaktree, which manages $192 billion in assets, said they are “committed to working closely with Inter Milan’s current management team, partners, the league and governing bodies to ensure the Club is positioned for success on and off the pitch”.
Inter ended up in the hands of Oaktree in a manner similar to the way another US fund, Elliott Management, took control of their local rivals Milan in 2018.
Elliott became Milan’s owners when Chinese businessman Li Yonghong was unable to repay a loan he had taken out when he bought the club from the late Silvio Berlusconi’s Fininvest the previous year.
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