Eddie Howe has called the recent reports linking him with the Arsenal management job as “meaningless”. It emerged yesterday in the press that Howe is well thought of at the Emirates and is being considered as a potential replacement for Arsene Wenger (via Sky Sports).
He’s already managing one Arsenal player, and he could soon be in charge of them all. Eddie Howe was yesterday linked with a potential switch to the Emirates once Arsene Wenger hangs up his unzipped coat.
The Sun reported earlier in the week that the 38-year-old is admired within the corridors of power at the Emirates and is being lined up as a replacement for the current boss. Wenger’s contract expires at the end of the season and Howe reportedly satisfies the club’s desire for a seamless transition into the new period.
Howe though has hit back at these links and reaffirmed his commitment to Bournemouth. “I am loyal.” Howe said at his press conference ahead of the Cherries’ match against West Brom this weekend. “I love this town and I want to continue that association for as long as possible.”
When asked specifically about the position at the Emirates, Howe said: “It’s meaningless. I don’t want to hear it. I don’t want to hear it. I just want to win games.”
Howe’s tone did seem to soften later in the interview. “It’s very hard to predict the future.” The Englishman said. “If you try to then you come unstuck. In football management, you live week to week. You turn a blind eye to speculation and anyone that tells me about it I believe it is not meaningful and it doesn’t help me get results for this club.”
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Perhaps it isn’t a coincidence that Jack Wilshere was loaned to Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth ahead of clubs like Crystal Palace or AS Roma. Howe certainly does carry some of the traits of Arsene Wenger in terms of playing style and the way he seems to conduct himself in the press and on the sidelines.
Wenger won’t be around forever and Arsenal seem to be working towards as simple a transition period as possible. Howe does seem like a good young coach, one of the most promising young managers England has produced in a while, but any possible appointment would feel a little underwhelming. The 38-year-old lacks any experience managing at the highest level and the majority of Arsenal fans were probably expecting a bigger name.
Managers like Diego Simeone, Luis Enrique, or even Carlo Ancelotti could become available in the coming seasons. All three are very good options for a post-Wenger Arsenal and all have experience of managing at least one massive club and winning titles. Outside of the elite clubs there are managers like Thomas Tuchel or even Ronald Koeman who could fit the bill at the Emirates. It’s good that the club are making plans for Wenger’s eventual departure but perhaps there are safer options out there.
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