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Arsenal Rethink Luis Enrique As Arsene Wenger Replacement

Arsenal Rethink Luis Enrique As Arsene Wenger Replacement

The former Barcelona boss is favourite to take over at Arsenal next season but is reportedly not the clubs preferred choice now.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

A world where Arsene Wenger is not Arsenal manager does seem like a strange one but it's one we'll have to get used to pretty soon. But who just will take over at the Emirates? According to reports it may not be Luis Enrique.

It's not that long ago that imagining Manchester United without Sir Alex Ferguson was pretty much unthinkable, since then the Old Trafford club are on their third permanent manager, with Ryan Giggs taking the role for a couple of games.

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That's the kind of scenario that Arsenal fans will hope they avoid when Arsene Wenger finally leaves the club at the end of the season after over two decades of being in charge.

But getting the right man first time could prove tricky as other teams who have lost a relatively long serving manager have proved in the past, United with Fergie, Charlton with Alan Curbishley, Bolton with Sam Allardyce all spring instantly to mind.

Former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique had been talked up as the man to replace Wenger, and is the bookies favourite, but according to the Sunday Times the club have decided they don't want Enrique.

Enrique could miss out on the job at the Emirates but there could be an alternative. Image: PA Images
Enrique could miss out on the job at the Emirates but there could be an alternative. Image: PA Images

According to the newspaper there are worries about his wage demands, with the Spaniard reportedly wanting £15 million a year but more importantly his 'self-absorbed' management style doesn't mix with Arsenal's current structure.

In the past year the Gunners have appointed former Borussia Dortmund man Sven Mislintat as head scout whilst Barcelona's Raul Sanllehi has joined as head of football relations as the manager has been given less power when it comes to transfers.

All of that would seem to rule Enrique out of taking over at Arsenal which could be good news for Chelsea. The former Real Madrid midfielder has been linked with replacing Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge.

Here's some of our favourite Arsene Wenger press conference moments:

With Enrique now seemingly out of the running the Gunners will return to their wish list. Napoli's Maurizio Sarri is high on the list as is Juventus' Max Allegri as the two battle for the Serie A title.

Out of work Carlo Ancelotti is in the running for the Italian national job but would also love a move back to the Premier League and London.

Finally former Arsenal midfielders Patrick Vieira and Mikel Arteta are being looked at but Manchester City and their owners are likely to be unwilling to let either men go, especially to a league rival.

Who do you think will take over from Wenger?

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Topics: Football News, Luis Enrique, Barcelona, Arsene Wenger, Premier League, England, Arsenal