Football: Who can replace Arsene Wenger at Arsenal?
What's the story
Arsenal fans have been left with mixed feelings after manager Arsene Wenger finally decided to end his 22-year-old reign and step down at the end of the season. Arsenal currently languishes at 6th position in the Premier League and are in the semi-finals of the Europa League. So who is the favourite to replace Wenger next season?
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Only manager to win Premier League with an unbeaten season
49 - Under Arsene Wenger, Arsenal went a record 49 consecutive top-flight league games unbeaten from May 2003 to October 2004, breaking Nottingham Forest's previous record of 42 set between November 1977 November 1978 under Brian Clough. Legendary. pic.twitter.com/IATwyJCkcm
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 20, 2018
Front runner
Former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers
Celtic manager Brendan Rogers is one of the front-runners to replace the 68-year-old at the Emirates. Rodgers, who was earlier the boss of Liverpool before the appointment of Jurgen Klopp, has impressed everyone with his work in Scotland. Last season, Rodgers emulated Wenger's greatest achievement by winning the league title without losing a game. He also secured another Scottish Premiership crown this week
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22 years at the helm of affairs at Arsenal
124 - Arsene Wenger has faced 124 different opponents as manager of Arsenal, but has only failed to beat 5 of those teams:
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 20, 2018
Fiorentina (P2 W0 D1 L1)
PAOK Salonika (P2 W0 D1 L1)
Paris Saint-Germain (P2 W0 D2 L0)
Port Vale (P2 W0 D2 L0)
Rotherham United (P1 W0 D1 L0)
Collection pic.twitter.com/iveoABXyzL
Best in the business
Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti
Ex-Chelsea manager Ancelotti is reportedly keen on moving back to London this year and this could mean taking up the job with Arsenal or Chelsea. The Italian has an impressive CV which includes 3 Champions League titles, two have been with AC Milan and one with Real Madrid. He led Chelsea to the Premier League and the FA Cup double in his first season.
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Premier League's longest serving manager
823 - Arsene Wenger has managed more Premier League games than any other manager (823) and only Sir Alex Ferguson has won more games (528) than Wenger (473). Longevity. pic.twitter.com/ktdsaZPb1y
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 20, 2018
World Cup winner
Germany manager Joachim Low
Germany manager Joachim Low is also on the Arsenal management's radar. The 58-year-old led Germany to World Cup glory in 2014 and will be looking to defend the title this year in Russia. Low doesn't have the required experience of managing a top football club. However, he had stints with Fenerbahce and Stuttgart. But can Arsenal persuade him to take the job?
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Wenger never had much success in the Champions League
86 - Arsene Wenger has won the most Champions League matches (86 - excluding qualifiers) without having ever won the competition. Frustration. pic.twitter.com/UIRbcF1CEE
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 20, 2018
One of their own
Former Gunners captain Patrick Vieira
Former Gunners captain Patrick Vieira could also be considered for the job. The Frenchman has two years of experience as the head coach after taking over MLS side New York City in 2016. The former France midfielder would certainly be tempted to return to north London and coach the club he once captained.