The 5 Men Who Could Potentially Replace Arsene Wenger

jointly written by Michael Price (DAG of YAMA) and Keenos (of She Wore)
Any time Arsenal go through what they are going through now, talk inevitably turns to who would/should replace Arsene Wenger as manager. Additionally, with Wenger NOT signing any extension as has been widely speculated, some are beginning to wonder whether or not Arsenal will be looking for a new manager this summer.
Now before we continue this article does not attempt to take a side in the Wenger In/Wenger Out debate. As writers we see the rationale behind both arguments. This piece does not argue for either side though. We are merely trying to offer up our top 5 choices as potential successors to Arsenal’s legendary manager.
Frank de Boer (current Ajax Manager)
Career Record: 86W 26D 27L 60.74 WIN%

Imagine this duo on our bench?
Let’s be honest on one level we would all want Frank de Boer because we know it’s likely it would be a package deal with the Ajax manager bringing his number 2 and Arsenal legend, Dennis Bergkamp. But when you look at de Boer the manager, the transition to him from Wenger would be seamless.
The similarities in coaching style are uncanny. De Boer like Wenger (and Cruyff and Van Gaal) believes in preparing his team to focus on their style of play rather than preparing for a specific opponent. Additionally, de Boer wants his players to work well individually but functionally as a unit so that no one part is greater than the whole. Still, it means that the individual is given freedom and is expected to make in-game decisions on their own.
Additionally, de Boer believes in the possession, fluid style that Wenger loves and is based off of Cruyff’s vision that had its genesis at Barca. Possession is everything to de Boer’s team and they use it to conserve energy and break down pesky, compact opponents. Conversely, he takes from his other mentor Van Gaal and presses like there is no tomorrow when they don’t have the ball. They want to get the ball back within 3 seconds with 3 players usually devoted to insuring they do.
De Boer is receiving praise for his restoration of Ajax. Guided by Cruyff’s vision and the support of some dutch masters, he is succeeding.
Why this would work? It’s laid out all here for you. His style, approach and vision is very much molded like Arsenal. He’s also used to having a perceived legend over him and doesn’t flinch from it. You wonder what kind of success he would bring if he didn’t have to worry about resources.
Why it wouldn’t work? Maybe the way Wenger wants Arsenal to play is part of the problem and if de Boer isn’t much different then it could be argued that nothing will change. Additionally, it’s likely de Boer may want to see how far he can get Ajax back into the pantheons of European football
Jurgen Klopp (current Borussia Dortmund)
Career Record: 258W 137D 133L 48.86 WIN%

Look at that. No denying this man loves this game
He might be considered the leading contender, at least from a supporter exercise. He has won the Bundesliga with Dortmund (twice) and gotten his Dortmund team entrenched as one of the fearsome favorites in the Champion’s League. He took a Dortmund team known for their rigid style of play and turned them into a free flowing, dynamic, and all-pressing system. Basically he took the German style of football and added flair to it.
He is beloved by his players and respected in the coaching community. If there is one coach who is likely to be considered alongside with some of the biggest coaching names in the game, its Klopp.
Like Wenger, he personalizes his relationships with his players. His view is that the more time you put into a player the more you get out. Players say he is not afraid to have unpleasant conversations but even at the end of it you come out feeling positive.
He may not make many Arsenal supporters happy in that he won’t focus in on negatives even in defeat. His whole approach is to reframe or reinterpret an event. His outlook is never negative and always positive. Also like Wenger and de Boer he cares little for his opposition and more for the approach of his team.
His “rock star” status – based off of his style and looks (who doesn’t love that beard and glasses) and the way he just loves to celebrate on the side lines – I think they call jubel-lauf – essentially “happy dance.” Seriously, what’s not to like about this guy.
Why it would work? He has a love for the Bundesliga and his Dortmund team but he may see the picture changing as Bayern continue their “arms (and legs)” race to stock all the talent (even Klopp’s.) He may think he needs new fields in order to win again.
Why it wouldn’t work? Klopp strikes just about everyone as being a committed man and he recently signed new deal that would keep him at BBV until 2018. If he truly is that committed than he is going nowhere any time soon.
Roberto Martinez (current Everton Manager)
Career Record: 134W 93D 111L 39.64 WIN%

Is he ready for the big time?
Before he took the job at Everton Martinez was someone people thought of as a possible Wenger replacement. It may have been enhanced with a positive turn so far at Goodison Park.
Positive opinion of Martinez is based in my opinion, on the fact that he has his teams play in a positive manner. That and he generally appears as an approachable, knowledgeable guy. I know I love to watch his stints on ESPN in the US as he works for competitions like the World Cup and the European Cup. He certainly knows the game.
Additionally, his teams generally like to play in style consistent with what we’ve come to be accustomed to at Arsenal. If there is any flaw in how his teams play is that they are defensively lacking (sound familiar.)
While that bloke at Liverpool gets a lot of credit for Swansea getting to the Premier League, it is based on foundations that Martinez built as he moved the club from League One to the Championship. Still his move to Premier League via Wigan saw it end with not only a surprise FA Cup but also getting relegated a week later by Arsenal.
There are also questions on how Everton would be doing if Martinez hadn’t been able to get quality players like Lukaku and Deulofeu on loan. You might counter if he’s done that well with on loan players imagine what he could do with talented players he could buy and train as his own.
Why this would work? Martinez clearly has the acumen and footballing knowledge. Everton wouldn’t be doing as well as they are without it. And he clearly would be someone Wenger and the board feel would garner an amount of respect with the players.
Why it wouldn’t work? I am still not sure his results warrant the big call up. Everyone was lauding Michael Laudrup after one season at Swansea and he is now unemployed. David Moyes also had some success at Everton and it’s not exactly going well for him either. This is one move that would worry me
Diego Simeone (Current Atletico Madrid Manager)
Career record: 180W 71L 86D 53.41%

Could he work his Spanish magic in England?
The man who got David Beckham sent off in France 98 began his managerial career at just 36. He has been described as a “born manager” and is certainly a manager on an upward curve.
The job he is currently doing at Atletico Madrid can only be described as remarkable.
His side are currently sitting top of La Liga, level on points with Real Madrid and a point above Barcelona. This despite have a wage bill which is just 1/3 of Barcelona and Real Madrid’s. You have to wonder what magic he could work if he had money.
With clubs around Europe set to pick off his best players, this season could potentially by the pinnacle for Atletico. Simeone will know that and potentially be looking for a club who’s own ambition could match his.
Why this would work? He has a winning attitude. At just 43, he has already won the Argentine league twice (Opening tournament in 07 & closing tournament in 09), the Copa del Rey and the Europa League. They are currently battling way above their weight, both at a domestic level where they top La Liga, and in Europe where they are in the QF of the Champions League. He could become a great.
Why it wouldn’t work? the incident where Giles Grimandi gave him a smack after a race row between Patrick Vieira and Sinsa Mihajlovic is still fresh in many Arsenal fans mind. Taking into account Grimandi’s current job at the club, could they work together? Also, with his role in the David Beckham sending off at France 98 would mean both opposing fans and the British Press will be lining up on him to fail. You think Wenger is victimized by the British press? The knives will be out for Simeone before he even steps on the touchline.
Jupp Heynckes (Unemployed)
Career record: 601W 268D 306L 51.15%

From one elder statesman to another?
The 68 year old German former Bayern Munich manager has been unemployed since leaving Bayern in 2013 with the Champions League trophy in their cabinet. Reports at the time indicated that he was not yet ready to leave Bayern and wanted to renew his contract. However the impending appointment of the younger Pep Guardiola meant the Heynckes was effectively pushed out.
The experienced and well-traveled coach has won the Champions League with both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, winning the Bundesliga in 3 different decades with Munich. His experience is second to none, and the current Bayern Munich team is essentially he. Pep Guardiola is benefiting from his work, in the same way many Chelsea managers benefited from the side Jose Mourinho put together.
At Munich, he was able to combine both power and technique which took them to a different level to anyone else in Europe. His favoured tactics and formation would fit the current Arsenal mold, and he has the added benefit of being German.
Why this would work? One of the biggest issues with many of the other prospective replacements is the question mark about their availability. With Martinez having only been at Everton 1 year, Simeone at the beginning of a journey with Atletico Madrid, and Klopp and De Boer embroiled in their own project in Germany & Spain, the Arsenal job might be a year or two too early. Jupp Heynckes would be the perfect ‘stop gap’ to keep The Arsenal Ship moving forward until a longer term target is available.
Why it wouldn’t work? On June 2013, he was quoted as saying “After everything that’s happened over the past two years, I’m ready for some peace and quiet. After this string of successes, I could transfer to just about any club in Europe. I have a problem with the finality of saying ‘never’. But I can assure you that I have no intention of coaching again. I had a worthy ending.”
We don’t have a crystal ball. Some of the recent performances by Arsenal and Wenger’s lack of signing a new deal has raised significant concern across the board. In the end he might stay or he might go. Only one man knows for sure – that’s the boss.
The five men listed above we believe offer us the best chance for continuity (as Arsenal) and represent enough change to make the future exciting. We also believe that they give us the best chance to avoid the “Moyes-effect” (though Michael thinks otherwise for Martinez.)
We know that people find the likelihood of replacing Wenger difficult. Replacing a club legend always is. However, we shouldn’t fear discussing it (it’s okay really it is) and IF it happens, we shouldn’t be afraid of it happening. After all, 17 years ago who was Arsene Wenger?
Tell us what you think. If Wenger does leave this summer who is your choice? Have we left someone out? Give us your reasons? (Keep it as articulate as you can.)
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All very good names above. I’m not sure of contract duration but in my mind following the Bayern model of Heynkes leading on to Pep in a season or two would be an ideal (perhaps ambitious) combination to follow Arsene’s truely admirable work.
I think it’s a healthy discussion. Sooner or later we will have to find a replacement for Wenger. I don’t have names to suggest at the moment but i don’t mind having one without intention to push Wenger out of the picture. He will sign i think, but not for 3 years as what has been said.
Arsenal are COMING TO AMERICA!
woot woot!
I think Martinez is massively over rated…Everton got their asses handed to them by Liverpool at Anfield, lost at Chelsea & man city…so he’s not done anything different to Wenger!! The problem with appointing someone like Martinez or de Boer…they wouldn’t be a big enough name for arsenal…think back to when Rodgers took over at Liverpool…all the fans wanted rid of him because he didn’t know the club & wasn’t part of its heritage like King Kenny…of course now he’s the greatest thing ever…except if they don’t win the league!!
Kloop is a hard 1 to judge…I almost feel like he’s a younger version of Wenger…because he built an amazing team & he’s watched them completely disintegrate in front of his eyes…their playing terribly in the bundesliga at the min & he can’t get any kind of reaction fro the players…sound familiar??
I think there’s a few options I’d look at…
1 is the Roma boss Rudi Garcia, who did a great job in France at Lille…plays a hugely attractive brand of football & has gone on to do an equally great job at Roma!! He’s definitely a manager who would continue on the excellent work done by Wenger over the years & he’d be my favourite choice!!
You’ve just wasted valuable time and space ’cause Mr Wenger is going nowhere! Those who own the club will ensure this, I promise you.
No discussion is wasted especially in this case. No one is advocating one way or the other (Wenger in or out.) However, at some point whether its this year, next or 4 years from now we will have to replace him. Hypothesizing whom the best candidates are shouldn’t be a no-no.
And frankly, I determine what takes up space in my blog and well, this is a good discussion to have.