Saw yesterday in the gossip column a rumour that Viera might be brought back to the club to coach with a view to manage in the future. I've seen similar rumours about Terrence, Bergkamp and a few others over the years so it got me to thinking. Who, if any, ex players would you want to take over the club? Personally I'm unsure about any of those three in the role. All individually terrific players but it doesn't always translate to management. I quite like the set up at United where Giggs has take the no.2 role and wouldn't be adverse to seeing that happen in the future. Then again I don't work in the football world so what the fudge do I know! In other news there were some nice comments by Wenger on Arteta who, even when injured, rocks up 2 hours before training to "prepare" for the day (mental). He's even started moving into coaching apparently and I think he'd be ideal at that. By all accounts he's hugely respected and has already started work with the under 16s. Proper pro in my opinion. He's down the pecking order in midfield these days but he's done a great job in his few years with us and still offers a lot more. This is where I think we lost a trick a while back when we let our experienced players go too easily. Who knows what Gilberto or Pires could have offered a young squad in terms of experience?
Great players certainly don't equal great managers.I always think back to how few of England's World Cup winning team of 1966 achieved anything in management
Just look at the managers for the current big clubs in England - Wenger, Van Gaal (and even previously Fergie) and Klopp (and previously Rodgers) were all ok footballers, but not great by any stretch of the imagination - I don't think any had an international cap - indeed Rodgers retired early with injury. Mourinho was never a footballer. Pellegrini did play quite a bit for Chile, but maybe his playing career can't be compared to a Keegan, Daglish or Souness. It seems to be that while great players do sometimes make great managers, they are in the minority and it's sometimes the lesser players who spent more time on the bench/treatment table during their careers that go on to become great managers. (no hard and fast rules though)
I thought Henry was an U18 coach or was involved in with the youth teams in some shape or form. Don't know about Pires - it's weird he's still around, as I know he was training with us, even though he's retired, but never seen anything to suggest we'd given him a role.
I think it's a terrible idea. Occasionally a Top player equals a great manager. MOST of the time that isn't the case. Vieira is quite a smart guy and he may have the ability to become a top manager one day, however I would much prefer to see him manage some League 1/Championship sides before he comes anywhere near a top club like ours. A club like Arsenal is a big step up for most managers. Personally if I were to draw up a list of candidates I would go.. 1. Pep Guardiola. Wants to manage in the EPL and I can't help but think he suits our club from a stylistic perspective. 2. Anchelotti. He's grumpy old git but the guy has proven himself to be a winner. Personally rate him higher than Mourinho. 3. Sleven Bilic. Slightly controversial one but I just think Bilic looks the 'Real Deal' to me. There are plenty of managers around who are quality but don't quite have what it takes at the Top level. (Rodgers, Moyes etc..) However I think Bilic is going to be a TOP manager. He will end up at an elite Club sooner or later.
I'd want to see Bilic have more time to prove himself before considering him for a club like Arsenal - his start of season was poor (besides Arsenal) getting knocked out of Europe and everything. And remember, while he's doing amazing now and got excellent results against Arsenal, Liverpool, City and Chelsea, Big Sam was in the CL positions going into Christmas last season but ended up getting sacked, and Martinez was touted as Wenger's heir apparent before last season. Look at how Pochettino hasn't really improved Spurs in spite of having a great season with Southampton before that.
Bilic is interesting. I can't find the quote anywhere but I remember Wenger mentioning him 2-3 years ago as a Top class managerial talent. Also when you actually think about it. West Hams start to the Season was superb.They lost a few games but are currently 4th in the league with a squad that should be 'mid-table' at very best. I don't think they can maintain it because I just don't think they have the players - But Bilic has masterminded several tactical victories against the Top sides. (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City) Obviously 1/3 of a Season is not enough to judge but to me Bilic is looking like a really really good manager.
For an ex-player to have a realistic chance of managing a club the size of Arsenal, they would have either some major experience/some success, or at least be Wenger's number two. At the moment it's Bould and can anyone imagine him being the next manager? Also, i can't see a big time manager take over either. It will probably be an up and coming talented manager like Wenger. So I can see a Bilic style manager come in and not Pep.
