ENRIQUE FAVOURS THE GUNNERS OVER CHELSEA BUT WANTS £15M A YEAR
Nou Camp connection gives Arsenal edge over Chelsea if they want Enrique
ARSENAL believe they would edge out Chelsea if it came to a tug-of-war for Luis Enrique.
The former Barcelona boss is on the shortlist for the Stamford Bridge hot seat, and also interests the Gunners as they look for a replacement when Arsene Wenger leaves at the end of the season. But crucially for the north Londoners, their head of football relations Raul Sanllehi worked with Enrique at the Nou Camp where he was director of football. He moved to the Emirates in February. Enrique, 47, is the most likely option for Arsenal, especially if they decide to go for a big name. Monaco’s Leonardo Jardim, Celtic’s Brendan Rodgers and Germany coach Joachim Loew are other options. Enrique’s wage demands are likely to be a sticking point. He would want about £15million a year, which would be new territory for Arsenal, but Sanllehi (below) clearly believes it is a hurdle that can be overcome.
Arsenal may be tempted to go for a younger appointment in a head coach role to fit into a new structure at the club, which includes Sanllehi and head of recruitment Sven Mislintat.
That would suit former Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta – now on Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff at Manchester City – while Hoffenheim manager Julian Nagelsmann is another they are likely to want to speak to over the next few weeks.
But it is still more probable Arsenal will make a higherprofile appointment, as opting for the likes of Arteta would be a huge gamble.
Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira has not yet been discussed as a possibility. It is understood Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone is not interested in taking charge at either Arsenal or Chelsea and will stay in Spain for at least another year.
Arsenal hope to have a manager in place by the end of May, but it is not anticipated there will be a quick decision. Another big name on the move is Carlo Ancelotti. The former Chelsea boss has been offered the Italy job and although he has yet to agree terms, it is likely he will accept. That will have a knock-on effect at Chelsea, who had anticipated their boss Antonio Conte would be wanted by Italy and Paris Saint-Germain.
Conte is also set to miss out on PSG, with former Borussia Dortmund chief Thomas Tuchel set to be given a two-year contract with the French club.
Conte is still expected to leave his £9m-a-year post at the Blues this summer after a disappointing season. Along with Enrique, the others on the Chelsea shortlist are Napoli’s Maurizio Sarri and Max Allegri of Juventus.