Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Marcelino as their next manager, having sacked Unai Emery after a disappointing season so far.
The Spanish manager last managed Valencia before being dismissed as manager in September of this year.
As per Goal, Arsenal have contacted Marcelino to become manager of the Gunners and that he’s one of the top contenders for the job. The experienced Spanish manager has managed several sides in Spain, including the likes of Valencia, Villarreal, and Sevilla.
According to the report, another Premier League side, Everton, also contacted Marcelino, to become their next manager, but he declined the offer.
Marcelino brought success to Valencia in his two-year spell at the club, winning the Copa del Rey last season, defeating Barcelona 2-1 in the final. The former midfielder has managed a host of Spanish sides, but has never managed a side outside his country.
Emery was sacked as Arsenal manager last month after a string of disappointing results. He was replaced by Freddie Ljungberg, who will be the interim manager before the Gunners make a permanent appointment, but the Swede has got off to a bad start as the side are yet to win under him and were beaten by Brighton on Thursday.
Is Marcelino a good choice to take over at Arsenal?
Marcelino was sacked by Valencia after some disagreements with the Spanish club’s management as well as poor results. But, Valencia’s decision could benefit a club as he a quality manager who can set up teams to play attractive football.
The Spaniard’s team played quick, fast-moving attacking football, sometimes with two strikers up top, and were very good while going forward. He certainly looks like the kind of manager that would fit into Arsenal’s historic style of play. The Gunners fans demand attacking football, and that is something that Marcelino can certainly offer.
Arsenal need an experienced manager who can take them back to the top 4 and then challenge for the Premier League title. But, there is a serious concern that Marcelino could face similar problems that Emery faced.
His command over the English language could be a problem, but that could be solved in a while. He put together a good Valencia side that proved to be tough to score against, while also being exciting going forward.
It’s quite obvious that the Gunners need quality defenders, but Marcelino’s tactical nous and his experience could help them be stronger at the back, while being their confident attacking self while going forward.