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.
Real Madrid produced a spectacular comeback against Bayern Munich to reach the Champions League final with Joselu striking twice late on, earning them a 2-1 win on Wednesday to progress 4-3 on aggregate.
Alphonso Davies smashed the visiting German giants ahead in the second half but record 14-time winners Madrid produced a sensational comeback with Joselu netting in the 88th and 91st minutes.
Bayern Munich’s Canadian midfielder #19 Alphonso Davies scores his team’s first goal in spite of Real Madrid’s Ukrainian goalkeeper #13 Andriy Lunin during the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 8, 2024. (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO / AFP)
Spanish champions Real Madrid face another German side, Borussia Dortmund, in the Wembley final on June 1, after they stunned the team they call their “black beast”.
Squad player Joselu, on as a late substitute, wrote his name in Madrid’s history books with his last-gasp brace.
Bayern Munich’s English forward #09 Harry Kane reacts to their defeat after the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 8, 2024. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)
“There have been a lot of times we have looked dead and buried, but we have that mentality of never say die,” said Real midfielder Jude Bellingham.
“Joselu deserves it all, he has been an amazing squad member this season.”
Madrid had enjoyed the better of the match but it seemed Davies’ superb strike had set up a repeat of the 2013 all-German final in London.
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel made three changes from the first leg, benching veteran Thomas Mueller and Leon Goretzka.
Dani Carvajal started for Madrid after missing the first leg suspended and was heavily involved as the hosts dominated the opening stages.
Real Madrid players celebrate their second goal scored by Real Madrid’s Spanish forward #14 Joselu during the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 8, 2024. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)
Rodrygo Goes was inches away from converting Carvajal’s low cross and the Spain defender then cleverly set up Vinicius Junior with a pass nutmegging a defender, and Manuel Neuer tipped the Brazilian’s shot against the post.
The rebound fell to Rodrygo but his effort was weak and with a desperate arm Neuer was able to claw it out to complete a fine double save.
Bayern’s Serge Gnabry limped off injured with Davies replacing him before Harry Kane’s first flash of danger.
Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin was alert to push the England captain’s vicious long-range volley around the post.
Neuer palmed away a Vinicius free-kick as the teams ended a high-intensity, relentlessly frantic first half level.
The second period was just as fraught, with Davies’ cross deflecting onto the roof of Lunin’s goal.
Vinicius was unplayable down Madrid’s left and Rodrygo prodded his low cross agonisingly wide of the far post.
The 38-year-old Neuer made superb saves to deny both Brazilian forwards again before the hour mark as Madrid controlled the game and ratcheted up the pressure.
However just as in Munich, when Los Blancos were at their strongest, Bayern pounced.
Kane fed Davies and the Canada international cut inside from the left and smashed a shot beyond Lunin into the far top corner after 68 minutes.
Madrid thought they had levelled moments later through Nacho but after a VAR review the strike was ruled out as the defender had grabbed Joshua Kimmich’s face before shooting.
Tuchel took off Kane in the final stages to try and hold on to victory but it slipped through his fingers as Madrid produced more indelible European memories.
Neuer, who had been sublime to this point, fumbled what appeared a simple Vinicius strike and Joselu gratefully bundled home from close range.
With Bayern reeling Madrid struck again, decisively. It was Joselu once more, the striker on loan from second division side Espanyol, turning home after Antonio Rudiger cut the ball back to him.
The goal was ruled offside but officials overturned the decision after review, and after nearly 15 minutes of stoppage time, Madrid earned the chance to go for their 15th Champions League trophy.
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