Why Carlo Ancelotti will be perfect for Arsenal
The day when Arsene Wenger won’t be the manager of Arsenal is coming soon and it is not surprising that a lot of Gooners are anxiously waiting for that day. A lot has gone wrong for the club in the past few months and most people believe that only a managerial change can improve the fortunes of the Gunners.
Arsene Wenger still has 18 months left on his current deal at the Emirates but the club is already preparing for life after the Frenchman. The last decade has been epitomized by familiar failings of getting so close without achieving for the Arsenal fans.
Wenger could be set to leave the club this summer just a year into the two-year contract he signed after the 13-time English champions defeated Chelsea to win the FA Cup last year. The likes of Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti have been mentioned as a replacement option but it is the name of the Italian tactician that has excited the Arsenal faithful.
A coach is as good as his last job, so says the famous football mantra but there are few managers in world football that compare with Ancelotti. The experienced Italian has seen it all in respect of the European game and will offer a breath of something different to Arsenal given that he is a proven winner, and won’t condone the lack of professionalism that is widespread at Arsenal.
After a hugely impressive first 7-years that saw doubles, unbeaten runs, and other titles, Wenger has been somewhat derided for the past 14 years where Arsenal has won just three trophies and are without a league title in that time. A number of key players consistently leave the club for bigger things elsewhere where they can compete for honours.
There are too many players at Arsenal that are not held responsible for bad performances, and it is widely accepted that a new coach is needed to bring out the hunger in those boys.
Ancelotti is currently unemployed after being sacked by Bayern Munich. The former Madrid boss was brought in by the German outfit to help them win the Champions League as he has won the tournament three times, the most by any coach in the competition’s current format.
Under Ancelotti, Arsenal will become more attacking as his 4-3-3 formation is in sync with the free-flowing football that the Gunners are used to playing. His Italian background will also ensure defensive solidity, a feature that has been missing in the Arsenal first team for a number of years.
Wenger has been criticized for indulging his players too much as in the case of Alex Iwobi recently, but a new manager means that players will be more careful of how they play and behave.
Ancelotti also comes with a winning CV, which the current players will be looking towards. He has done well at every club he has managed so far, which would mean he has the respect of the playing staff
Ancelotti doesn't do mediocre players having worked with a number of exceptional players throughout his career, and the board will do well to reinforce the team, that looks inferior to a number of their direct rivals.
In spite of his torrid second year in Munich, he is still widely rated as one of the best managers in Europe, as his man management skills are almost unrivalled. His former players have spoken about the joy he exudes when working with them, how approachable he is, and the general fatherly feel of the Italian.
He is now living in London with his family having relocated to the English capital. He has experience of managing in the league, having managed Chelsea for two years between 2009 and 2011, winning the double in his first year and finishing second the next season.
His pedigree in the Champions League makes for good reading as he is known to be an avid lover of the cup. His resume is exemplary as he has taken charge of a host of top European sides such as Real Madrid, PSG, Juventus, Bayern Munich, and AC Milan.
Arsenal fans have looked enviously at other clubs with their marquee managers and Ancelotti could be the answer to their problems. Work will be needed but if given time, the Gunners would benefit from having Carlo Ancelotti at the helm of things.