Four potential replacements for Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger is reportedly going to see out yet another year at Arsenal, and he might even sign on for a couple more years after that. Despite willfully doing the wrong things for a decade, and egregiously blowing the chance to win the league when Leicester and Spurs, for God’s sake are closer to victory, is totally unacceptable. However, the Emirates board seem content to let the situation play out. Should they change their mind - and there are plans for protests at the next match, to follow recent demonstrations - then there is a shadow shortlist that has been drawn up by dissenters at the club. Yahoo can reveal the top names that could be considered at short notice.

Jeremy Hunt

Hunt is regarded as something of an outlier as a candidate by some in the Arsenal camp, but there are some compelling ‘synergies’ as some recruitment consultants have attested to Yahoo sources.

It has been pointed out that Hunt has absolutely no experience of running a football club, nor has he played professional football at any point in his career, and that he is not a conservative, free-market politician. His supporters have responded that none of these things should preclude him from succeeding Wenger. For one, Wenger had barely any meaningful experience as a professional footballer. Secondly, Hunt has absolutely no skills or experience regarding the NHS, and that has not stopped him from doing the job as health secretary for many years.

Lastly, as the extended clash with junior doctors shows, Hunt has shown absolutely no regard in using tact, nuance or sense when it comes to dealing with people, and that is precisely the kind of stupid, arrogant and cocksure belligerence that is needed to effect the kind of extensive clearance that Arsenal need. Hunt is doing an excellent job at forcing doctors to decide to go and earn a living elsewhere - the same must be done for Jack Wilshere and Nacho Monreal.

Roberto Martinez

At the other end of the spectrum, there has been some suggestions that Roberto Martinez could be the ideal ‘continuity candidate’, in much the same way that David Moyes was to follow Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, and not just because he has managed Everton.

Martinez and Wenger both had unremarkable playing careers, so focus on achieving something significant with their managerial endeavours. While both enjoyed early success, they are now looked upon as stale, and need to leave their current clubs. This is where Martinez can make the leap to the Emirates to provide a seamless transition in style.

Like Wenger, he has experience in inheriting a sturdy back four. Tony Hibbert, Seamus Coleman, Leighton Baines, Sylvain Distin and Phil Jagielka were the Steve Bould, Tony Adams, Nigel Winterburn, Lee Dixon and Martin Keown for Martinez. Like Wenger, he built on their success by using an inherited defence to be the foundation for expansive and attacking football. Like Wenger, when he turned his attention to building his own defence, he absolutely made things worse. For Oleg Luzhny, see Ramiro Funes Mori. For Remi Garde, see Muhamed Besic.

Pep Guardiola

Guardiola is the last manager to have imposed his own style on Barcelona’s attractive, but always evolving, approach to football. His passing style, based in technique and possession, led to Arsenal fans seeing a similarity to the football they play under Arsene Wenger. Indeed, they sometimes referred to themselves as a mini-Barcelona, for sharing some of the same DNA in approach.

Guardiola’s wife is known for favouring a move to the capital of England, and her conspicuously scarf-wearing sophisticate husband enjoyed a sabbatical to New York, where they took in all the cultural experiences on offer. London, with some of the best restaurants in the world, its theatres, its museums, could offer something similar, and all far closer for going back to visit Barcelona.

It would be, then, an easy negotiation to start between Arsenal and Guardiola, who is due to leave Bayern Munich in the summer. They just have to make sure that City aren’t tempted to get rid of Manuel Pellegrini one year into his four-year contract extension, and make a play for their long term managerial target.

Another option from Germany would be Jurgen Klopp. He has been rumoured for a return to management soon following his departure from Borussia Dortmund, but nothing has yet been decided. As the Klopp and Guardiola situations make absolutely clear: there is no time to waste, it simply cannot be that Wenger is allowed to drag his carcass, and Arsenal’s, along interminably when there are better options around. Dithering would be utterly acceptable.

Dominic Chappell

The current BHS owner is experienced in taking over a household name that is going nowhere and smashing it into its inevitable conclusion of mediocrity. There is some parallel with how the Glazers have managed Manchester United with how BHS has been run under Chappell, too, so there is footballing precedent.