After Roy Hodgson announced his imminent retire as England Coach, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has emerged as the number one choice to replace him as England manager on a permanent basis, according to reports.
Arsène Wenger, OBE, is a French football manager and former player. He has been the manager of Arsenal since 1996, where he has since become the club’s longest-serving manager and most successful in terms of major titles won.
The Football Association are currently searching for Hodgson’s successor following his resignation from the post immediately after the side crashed out of the European Championships in humiliating fashion against Iceland on Monday night.
Chief Executive Martin Glenn refused to rule out appointing a foreign manager whist addressing the media yesterday and Telegraph Sport have reported that Wenger, who has managed in the country since 1996, is being sounded out as well as Leicester City’s title-winning manager Claudio Ranieri.
Report adds that the Frenchman could be tempted by the role, although his current deal at the Emirates Stadium will expire at the end of the forthcoming campaign and is understood to be against breaking his contract.
However, with Wenger yet to commit himself to the two-year deal on the table from the Gunners, the FA are willing to wait until next summer to hire the “inspirational manager” they’re on the lookout for and the timing could be best for both parties.
Three Lions under-21 manager Gareth Southgate is among a list of candidates to be placed in temporary charge until a permanent decision is made as the national team look to recover from a disappointing tournament.