Rodgers among five contenders as Arsenal consider Wenger axe

Arsenal are reported to have lined up five potential successors to Arsene Wenger amid renewed claims the Gunners are considering calling time on his reign.

The Gunners were humbled 3-0 in the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City on Sunday and look way off the pace in the race to claim a top-four spot and a return to the Champions League.

Wenger is contracted to Arsenal for another season after this one, having put pen to paper on a new two-year deal last summer, and while we understand the Frenchman’s intention is to stay, widespread reports on Tuesday morning suggest the Gunners are seriously considering the axe this summer.

And according to the Daily Mirror, former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers heads the club’s wanted list to replace the long-serving Frenchman, with the paper suggesting Joachim Low, Leonardo Jardim and former Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta also being considered.

Furthermore, it’s strongly suggested that former Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is also strongly in the running, with the Italian back living in London and said to be ready to return to management after a six-month sabbatical that followed his dismissal at Bayern.

 

READ MORE: Arsenal fans tear into Gunners after “gutless” Carabao Cup final defeat

 

Arsenal have taken significant steps over the last 12 months to plan for Wenger’s succession and the appointment of a new technical director has seen the Frenchman’s influence reduce at the club.

Wenger could yet salvage the campaign by winning the Europa League – as he did last season with the FA Cup – but the Arsenal board are said to be ready to have an “adult conversation” over where the club is heading and amid heightening claims he will be asked to step down in the summer.

 

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