Report: Mauricio Pochettino preferred candidate for Arsenal job

Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as the preferred candidate to succeed Unai Emery at Arsenal, after Emery was sacked earlier today. According to reports in the Telegraph, and via David Ornstein in The Athletic, Pochettino leads a shortlist that includes Mikel Arteta, Carlo Ancelotti, Max Allegri, and others.

Pochettino was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month, as Spurs were on a poor run of form that had extended to the end of last season. While Pochettino did not win a trophy at Tottenham, he led them into the Champions League final last season, and established Tottenham as a top four side, despite having the sixth highest wage bill in the Premier League and not adding a single player last season.

Pochettino’s connection to Tottenham presents some issues. Few have crossed the divide; Terry Neill and George Graham managed both Arsenal and Tottenham, with both struggling at the other club. Pochettino has said in the past that he would never coach Arsenal, Barcelona, or Rosario Central in Argentina, because of their respective club rivalries, and Arsenal perhaps face a battle in convincing him to join the club.

Arsenal are not in a rush to appoint a full replacement for Emery, with Ornstein reporting that the club are happy with, Ljungberg’s capabilities.” Arsenal are prepared to put together a fairly exhaustive list of candidates.