Fans divided at prospect of Rodgers taking reins

LOCAL Arsenal supporters are divided over the prospect of Brendan Rodgers succeeding manager Arsene Wenger this summer.

Long-serving boss Wenger announced he will call time on his 22-year spell at the club at the end of the current season putting Carnlough man Rodgers as second favourite for the job, behind Gunners legend Patrick Vieira.

Celtic boss Rodgers is close to securing a second consecutive treble in Scotland but Belfast fan Lee Hurley, who runs the Daily Cannon Arsenal supporters’ website, wouldn’t exactly be in favour of a move for his compatriot.

“No,” he replied, bluntly. “He would not be a good signing at all. It would be hard to find an Arsenal fan who rates him as a manager. He’s seen as a joke character, a David Brent character.

“We want a manager who makes a statement — a Luis En- rique or an Allegri. If the board were to appoint Rodgers, the fans would see it as a sign that the club aren’t serious about being successful in Europe.

“He doesn’t have a bad record but he hasn’t had experience of managing in a competitive league over the last couple of seasons.”

However, a Co Armagh Arsenal Supporters’ Club representative wouldn’t be so opposed to the move.

“I wouldn’t mind Brendan coming in at all. He nearly won the league at Liverpool. I know Luis Suarez was such a big part of that but Brendan was the man who was inspiring his players,” he said.

“You could say that Wenger hasn’t been in a competitive league in recent seasons but Vieira is managing New York City in the MLS, which is not recognised as a really top level division.

“Maybe Vieira would be able to come in and inspire the players the way Gennaro Gattuso has been able to do at AC Milan recently.”