His resume fills the gaps and questions that would have been at the forefront of an Arteta appointment.
It sound like the Arteta news was more than a smokescreen. The board/management were actually putting together a coherent vision of the post-Wenger future as evidenced by hiring Mislintat and Sanllehi to help with development/scouting and transfers. I think Arteta would have been a solid hire to work within this new structure, and he would have been a good cultural fit with his understanding of the style of football Arsenal is used to, while applying some of the tactics learned under Pep's tutelage.
While I think Emery is a good hire as well, I'm concerned about the apparent 180 to move away from Arteta. IF this was due to fan reaction, then shame on the board and the supporters; you both screwed a former captain who has a great love the club and would have given his all. I hope he continues to grow under Pep and can succeed as a manager in the future.
Only time will tell if this was the right call.
if ND hired a 36 year old head coach only 2 years removed from playing who had never managed a game before.
People did a good job talking themselves into Arteta, but that would be as big a gamble as I could imagine. Whatever the reasons for the 180, I'm glad they came to their senses.
Incidentally, Emery's most successful years coaching at Sevilla were under a similar recruiting setup as what Arsenal have put in place. I think this is as good a hire as they could make from the realistic candidates.
skip and a jump from succeeding SAF?
It would make sense to let a guy get his feet wet before putting him in the London pressure cooker succeeding a legend.
All of Andy’s dreams would come true as Savvy Jack introduced PJ Fleck as the new Dick Corbett Head Football Coach.
I agree that Emery is a better hire, but the way things went down could have been better handled IF Arteta was choice #1 and fan pressure caused the switch.
We’re also not immune to poorly thought out hires (see every coach since Holtz).
I actually think this is a pretty good hire.
Edit: PSG is the worst best job in the world. Hey, go win the UCL. Winning the league is a formality, by the way. If you somehow mess that up you'll look ridiculous.
Emery's agent deserves a raise. Great move.