Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Next Arsenal manager? Ernesto Valverde 'contacted by Gunners' as Arsene Wenger's future hangs in the balance

The Athletic Club boss is also a candidate to replace Luis Enrique at Barcelona

Tuesday 11 April 2017 12:18 BST
Comments
Valverde is an in-demand coach right now
Valverde is an in-demand coach right now (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

With Arsene Wenger's future in the balance, it appears that Arsenal are weighing up the pros and cons of possible replacements for the Emirates dugout.

Athletic Club boss Ernesto Valverde has been contacted by an intermediary acting for Arsenal, according to Marca, with the 53-year-old's contract in Bilbao expiring at the end of the season.

Valverde, who is also being considered as a replacement for Luis Enrique at Barcelona, has reportedly long held an interest in managing in England.

The idea of moving to Arsenal would be enticing for the Spaniard even if they missed out on the Champions League, claims the report.

While the former Olympiakos and Valencia boss would represent a cheap, attainable option for the Gunners if they were suddenly having second thoughts about Wenger staying on, the chances are that this is nothing more than an exploratory mission from the north London club to see who would be willing to take over the hot seat in a worst-case scenario.

Similarly, news of this nature leaking out only helps Valverde, who fears that Luis Enrique's current assistant, Juan Carlos Unzué, could pip him to his dream job at the Nou Camp.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in