Arsenal have reportedly identified Brendan Rodgers as a potential candidate to replace Arsene Wenger, whose position at the Emirates is under scrutiny.
According to a report by Daily Mail, Arsenal are taking steps to replace Arsene Wenger at the end of the season, with the Frenchman’s position as the club’s manager set to be reviewed at the end of the season. Among the names on the shortlist to replace Wenger is former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.
Wenger’s position at Arsenal has become increasingly weak with each passing month since the end of the 2016-17 season, when the Gunners finished outside the top four for the first time in his tenure. Things haven’t improved much this season either, with the North Londoners placed sixth on the Premier League table and with little chance of making the top four.
In the cup competitions, Wenger’s men crashed out of the FA Cup in the third round, although they did make the Carabao Cup final, where they were comprehensively beaten by Manchester City. Arsenal are still alive in the Europa League, but they face a long-winding path to winning the tournament.
Regardless of what happens in the second-tier competition in Europe, it is the Gunners’ performance in the Premier League that have left a lot to be desired, which is why Arsenal seem to be weighing up their options. The club’s hierarchy have, thus, drawn up a shortlist of potential candidates to succeed Wenger, if his 22-year tenure comes to an end in the summer.
One surprise name that features on the aforementioned shortlist is Brendan Rodgers. The Northern Irishman’s stock has been on the rise once again at Celtic after his stint at Liverpool ended rather unceremoniously. Rodgers’ spell at Anfield though, wasn’t entirely unsuccessful as he came extremely close to winning the Premier League title.
At Celtic, Rodgers & co. have already won four trophies in a little over 18 months, and his side are the favourites to win the league title once again this season. Having proven his credentials to lead a team to success, he now seems to be back on the radar of top clubs, with Arsenal now considering him as a potential man to replace Wenger.
Wenger though, might still have a say in things. If he manages to lead Arsenal to the Europa League title, it is believed that he could have a bargaining chip on his hands to see out the final 12 months of his deal.
But, the pressure is definitely mounting, with things not improving drastically despite the fact that Arsenal have broken their club transfer record twice within seven months. It now remains to be seen if Wenger’s 22-year reign at Emirates comes to an end this summer, and if Rodgers replaces him at the helm, if so.
