Arsenal‘s pursuit ofBrendan Rodgerslooks set to end in failure as the club make steps to findUnai Emery‘s long-term successor after a miserable start to the campaign.
Emery was relieved of his duties last week with a record of just four league wins since the start of the season and Freddie Ljungberg has stepped in as interim head coach for the time being.
The Swede was upbeat about Arsenal’s performance following their 2-2 draw with Norwich andclaimed he witnessed several ‘positive things’ at Carrow Road, but many of the same mistakes that cost Emery his job were repeated on Sunday afternoon.
While Ljungberg is among the candidates to be appointed on a permanent basis, it’s likely an external candidate will be brought in to steer the side out of the hole they find themselves in.
According to David Ornstein ofThe Athletic,established managers such Massimiliano Allegri and Mauricio Pochettino are firmly on Arsenal’s radar and have been for some time , despite the club having every confidence in Ljungberg.
The report claims Arsenal have made ‘tentative enquiries’ for Rodgers but the response has been negative, with the 46 – year-old determined to see out his project at Leicester.
Rodgers has been a revelation since replacing Claude Puel at the King Power Stadium. The Foxes sit second in league with a realistic shot at securing Champions League football following their dramatic victory over Everton.
The Northern Irishman brushed off the recent rumors after the win, but revealed that there is a clause in his contract which could allow him to join Arsenal.
‘There probably is in most manager’s contracts. It’s all hypothetical, all these types of situations, ’Rodgers said.
‘I made a change eight or nine months ago, I came into here and I’ve been so happy since I’ve come into here and I’ve been so happy to come into here to work with the players, we still have a lot of work to do.
‘I’ve been very fortunate in my career to work with some brilliant clubs and some great institutions. This was an ambition to come to here and to help the club arrive in the top six.
‘For us, everything has been great since we worked together. We know there will be some bumps along the way. For me, my ambition at this very moment in time is to help this club. ‘I’m very happy in doing that, there’s great, great potential here at Leicester City in order to push on in the next few years.’
Arsenal spoke with Allegri before deciding to appoint Emery last year and the board remain keen on the 52 – year-old, despite his underwhelming interview.
Ornstein claims Allegri’s communication issues put Arsenal off at the time and the club also had reservations about the Italian’s request to bring nine backroom staff members with him to north London.
Allegri has long held an interest in the position but the report claims the current state of Arsenal’s squad ‘concerns’ the former Juventus boss.
He would also be reluctant to return to management midway through the season.
Ljungberg was upbeat about Arsenal’s performance against Norwich and believes the side have every chance of finishing in the top four this term.
‘Top four is 100 per cent achievable, ‘Ljungberg said.
‘We are working on the backroom staff. What I saw in the first 30 minutes was good.
‘When we went down the players’ heads didn’t drop but they wanted to sort it out and that is good.
‘I’m just trying to make it as simple as possible. I’ve been here last year and of course I have an opinion on how we can play and everyone has a fair chance. ’
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