I have it on fairly good authority (from someone who knows Pat) that he is retiring at the end of this season. When I asked him about it, he said that as far as he knows Pat Rice is still intending to retire, although he might do a Fergie and carry on for another 5 years But I think it's highly likely that he will hang up his boots this summer, which begs the question - who replaces him? And what changes are we likely to see in our approach with someone else as Wenger's right hand man? Personally, I'd like to see Steve Bould promoted from the youth and reserves and step up to become assistant manager. I think he would offer Wenger better options for defensive coaching as well as being in touch with the players who are up and coming through the ranks. Also Bould is from the never say die school of defending and has great experience of playing in winning teams, and could impart his experience to the current first team about what is needed to go that extra yard to turn top 4 finishing seasons into trophy winning seasons. Anyone else a better contender? From within the club, or should we be looking to bring someone in from outside?
Big Tony Adams. Seeing him at the club again would give everyone a boost. Alternative - Dennis Bergkamp.
Would love either for nostalgic appeal alone. I'd also not be surprised to see Terrence Henry have some input into the club in a few years time.
Tony Adams has said that he would want more of a say than an assisstant role would offer him. I think he could be a future manager, but not for a while. I'd like to see him prove himself with some managerial successes before Arsenal considered him. Dennis - I think would make an excellent replacement for Bould, if he were promoted. Bergkamp has spoken about is desire to coach at Arsenal and although he's fully embedded in the culture at Ajax presently, I think he'll see coming to Arsenal as a step up in his career. It would be wonderful to have Bergkamp around the club again.
I think Dennis is now the number 2 at Ajax. If he were to come to us I think it would have to be as Rice's replacement...
Honeslty I dont think it matters. Does a number 2 even do anything? Seems like the coaches do the coaching and the number 2 ends up just "helping out" in most clubs.
Steve Bould would be the one for me. He knows the club inside and out, he's already there, he's good, and he can do the defensive organisation and leave Wenger to focus on what he does best - the attack.
I would like Dennis to come but it all depends on whether he'll have a significant imput. If Wenger is doing something wrong then i'd expect the number 2 to challenge him at least and not just a yes man. Arsenal needs a little shake up in the management department as things aren't going anywhere at the moment...
Well if you take Bergkamp as an example - he actually runs the coaching sessions for the first team at Ajax...
Pat Rice is part of the first team coaching at Arsenal too. The role of assisstant is an important one.
Not sure it is all that important to be honest, I mean Fergie seems to change his every couple years and they keep going fine .....
The reason Ronaldo chose Man Utd over Arsenal was reportedly down the fact that Carlos Queiroz was at Utd, so you could argue that the assisstant at that time had a massive influence on the team. I'd also be inclined to say that Fergie picks his assistants very carefully indeed. They need to be influential, without undermining the manager. I think Pat Rice has done a great job for us over the years, A true Arsenal man. I think getting his replacement right is an important task - As far as I can see it, I think Steve Bould would be perfect for the job.
I'd go Bergkamp (as he's doing really well and it's Bergkamp) first, Steve Bould (as he's doing really well, knows Arsenal inside out and would do a great job) second and Tony Adams (because his attempts in management have been, frankly, sh*te to date but still it's Tony Adams) a distant third.
Two assistants eh?! Hmm, genius. I have two assistants and I'm almost full re-tard! No reason why Arsenal couldn't afford two.
