From Andrew McBrinn :
Hi Myles,
Interesting times at the Arsenal, eh?
For what it’s worth, my opinion is that Arsenal will not appoint a new manager at all, in terms of a traditional manager anyway.
It could be that Wenger will be replaced by Sanllehi, Mislintat and someone like Buvac. That covers football operations, recruitment and first team coaching.
A bold move, but something which is both cheaper than Wenger and protects and strengthens Gazidis. It might also work, given the quality of the individuals.
However, the subtleties are likely to be missed by most of the media who will simply look at the first team coach as a direct Wenger replacement, when in fact first team tactical coaching seems to be the area where Wenger was most lacking.
It would also be an underwhelming structural appointment when most fans and commentators are baying for the big name manager.
However given Man Utd’s post-Ferguson difficulties, this structure could be a masterstroke.
Myles says :
I know what you mean, Andrew.
Their guiding principle should be: Never Again! No more polymaths, no more dictators.
No future “manager” should have that much power.
Many reasons. One is that power corrupts. Almost everybody knows that.
Celtic’s Peter Lawwell refused to work under Wenger because he didn’t like the job description. He was amazed to be interviewed by “the manager” and probably found that quite absurd and insulting.
Best decision Lawwell ever made. Probably added 10 years to his life expectancy.
Arsenal are now in transition.
If Ivan Gazidis makes the right appointment, it will be a three-year turnaround.
Wrong appointment? Could be a ten-year turnaround.