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"I worry that Arsenal will appoint their next manager based on emotion" - Gary Breen

Gary Breen is concerned that Arsenal are primed to get their next managerial appointment wrong, i...



Soccer

"I worry that Arsenal will appoint their next manager based on emotion" - Gary Breen

Gary Breen is concerned that Arsenal are primed to get their next managerial appointment wrong, if they choose a manager based on sentimental connection to the club.

Speaking to Off The Ball's Nathan Murphy after Brighton's 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Breen believes that Arsenal have to take a cold, business-like approach to their next coach.

"Every time you mention it, it is about lads who know the club as players. It's a different remit now.

"These are iconic players in terms of those brilliant Arsenal teams under Arsene Wenger - Freddie Ljungberg, Patrick Vieira. Mikel Arteta as well.

"My concern is that Freddie Ljungberg has never managed before. He might be doing good things with the under-23s, but it is a different ask."

Arsenal and their next coach

"Mikel Arteta has been getting a brilliant, intense education under Pep Guardiola. But he has never managed before.

"We are seeing this so often now; that great players get jobs by association. Anyone who seemingly bumped into Jose Mourinho seemed to get a job! It is the same thing with Jurgen Klopp.

"We know from the players that played under Alex Ferguson [got jobs] on the back of being under one of the greatest managers that we have ever seen.

"My concern is that Arsenal are going to make a decision on emotion, in terms of getting a so-called 'Arsenal person' back.

"No - if they have got any connection to Arsenal, then that is an add-on or a bonus. It can't be a priority. Just get the best man for the job.

"This is what is frustrating me. With regard to Vieira - yes, he was an iconic captain - but he has not set the world alight in Ligue 1 or in New York.

"There was a lot of talk about Thierry Henry - he failed in Monaco and is trying to rebuild his reputation in Montreal.

"I just want them to get a manager who knows the size of this task - because it is a massive rebuilding job."

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