Monday, May 18, 2009

Turnover at big clubs could start coaching carousel


Some of Europe's biggest clubs will see coaching changes this summer - Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Ajax and now Juventus (with the dismissal of Claudio Ranieri).

With jobs like these now open, it leads you to believe if a major coaching carousel won't start to go round and round, with names like Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Marco van Basten being mentioned at filling some of these posts.

Wenger's name might have been the biggest suprise until recently, as he has always been quick to dismiss speculation about his future. ESPN Soccernet's Jon Carter writes about Wenger's current situation at Arsenal, as well as his possible flirtation with Real Madrid.

The news that Madrid are interested in Wenger is unsurprising. His replies, or lack of them, are something more of a bombshell.

Wenger usually bats away speculation over his future with consummate ease. His focus has always been on building the foundations at Arsenal - the club he has been at for over a decade - and blooding a squad of young players talented enough to challenge for the title is his goal.

However, it is possible that there is a growing realisation from within that this may not happen in the short-term and that he has taken the club as far as he can. A 'season of transition' has been occurring yearly in North London since the Invincibles of 2003-04 were broken up and, despite some promising performances, Wenger's young side have not matched up when it matters most.

His argument that the likes of Nicklas Bendtner and Abou Diaby have shown why he can keep his chequebook in his pocket this summer doesn't stick, and it comes down to his own desire to keep the club's financial stability secure. In theory, this is admirable, but when major shareholder and director Danny Fiszman makes it clear money is there for the manager questions must be raised.

Despite the situation the club find themselves in, it seems unthinkable that Wenger would swap Arsenal for the Gálactico culture of Florentino Pérez and Real Madrid; but he has not helped the speculation with his comments.

Madrid may prove to be an 'interesting project' for whoever gets the job, but Wenger may be merely playing a game with the board, and his critics, to prove just how important he is to the Gunners in the face of some harsh criticism.

Despite the fact that no Arsenal fan wants to see the back of him, his flirtation with Madrid could prove damaging. Stability is in short supply in Spain and with growing disillusionment with his vision of the future in London; Wenger should be careful what games he plays.

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