Everton’s Ronald Koeman and Newcastle United’s Rafael Benitez are reportedly being considered by Arsenal should Arsene Wenger leave the club.
According to the Daily Mail, Everton manager Ronald Koeman and Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez are on Arsenal’s radar in case Arsene Wenger leaves the club.
The Gunners picked up a 2-0 win over Hull City on Saturday, and with both Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur dropping points this weekend, it was a vital victory for Wenger’s men.
However, much of the discussion before and after Saturday’s clash surrounded the future of manager Wenger, whose contract is due to expire at the end of the season.
Arsene Wenger and Ronald Koeman
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright told BBC Radio Five Live on Friday that he felt Wenger was ‘coming to the end’ of his time in charge of the club, more than 20 years since he left Japanese side Nagoya Grampus Eight for Arsenal.
At 67, Wenger will need to be replaced at some stage, and reports suggest that Arsenal have started to look at potential replacements, with six names believed to be on the Gunners’ radar according to the Daily Mail.
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez
Everton boss Ronald Koeman – who left Southampton for Goodison Park over the summer – is believed to be one of the candidates in the frame having impressed with the Toffees this season.
A highly-respected coach and big name as a player, Koeman has been touted for big jobs in the past, and his move to Everton has been viewed as a chance for him to put himself in the frame for a job with a team like Arsenal or even former club Barcelona.
Koeman has played more of a direct style than Wenger over the years, but he does have the pedigree as a player and as a coach to take on the task at the Emirates Stadium, though Everton would surely put up a major fight to keep him on Merseyside.
Koeman is allegedly one name that could be contacted should Wenger leave Arsenal, whilst Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez is also named as a manager Arsenal could target as he looks to guide the Magpies back to the Premier League this season.
Other names on the list include Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel, Atletico Madrid’s Diego Simeone, Barcelona’s Luis Enrique and Monaco’s Leonardo Jardim, with the Gunners putting in their due diligence in case Wenger does depart.
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