El Rincón de Manolete - Summer Edition 2018/2019

A Champions League and double La Liga winner before stepping down as Barca coach last year, Enrique would have been expensive, with his salary demands exceeding the pay of the man Arsenal invited to step down at the end of this season. More importantly, it is felt that Enrique’s self-absorbed approach to management would not mesh with the London club’s restructuring strategy. The 47-year-old does, however, remain a strong candidate to replace Antonio Conte as Chelsea coach.

Arsenal remain in the early stages of their own search process, having drawn up a list of potential replacements for their manager of the past 22 years that runs to more than 10 individuals. Conversations have begun with representatives of several candidates with a view to setting up informal interviews.

Among those under consideration for the post is Maurizio Sarri. The Napoli coach has impressed Arsenal’s decision makers by driving the Italian club into serious contention for the Serie A title on a budget markedly inferior to leaders Juventus. Sarri’s principal attraction is the form of football he has implemented at Napoli, a front-foot, possession-centred, high-intensity game popular with many neutrals and vocally approved of by the likes of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.

Style of play is one of several criteria Arsenal intend to utilise in selecting their new manager. In addition to an emphasis on attacking football, the club is seeking a coach with a modern-era approach to tactical preparation and training. They are said to be looking for “an elegant individual”, who will present the correct public face of the club while placing Arsenal’s long-term ambitions above personal considerations. The new manager should also offer an accessible path into the first team to academy players.

“The most important thing is to make the right appointment - not a quick one,” chief executive Ivan Gazidis said after Wenger’s departure was announced. “We need to be open-minded and also brave in the decision. Be bold and get the person we believe is the right person.”

Sarri, 59, does not speak English and is not known for his diplomacy in press conferences. Nor is it clear that the Neapolitan would be ready to leave his current club at a time at which they have risen near to the top of the Italian game.

At least two other Italians are on Arsenal’s long list. Carlo Ancelotti would like to return to a league he won with Chelsea in 2014 and has already publicly stated his interest in discussing the vacancy in north London. While the 58-year-old is the Italian federation’s preferred candidate as national team coach, it is understood that there remains some distance between the two parties on financial terms and a vision for Italy.

Massimiliano Allegri has yet to commit fully to continuing into a fifth campaign as Juventus coach and is understood to have requested a major rebuild of the Italian champions’ squad as a condition of seeing out a contract that runs until 2020. Allegri recently stated his intention to “go abroad” whenever he finishes at Juve.