Introducing, Arsenal’s brand spanking new head coach… Unai Emery.
Arsenal officially announced Arsene Wenger’s immediate successor on Wednesday morning but the wording of their statement was not lost on curious supporters, who’d noticed the fact that there was no mention of the word “manager”.
Emery was instead introduced as “our new head coach”, confirming the club’s intention to move in a new direction.
A significant stumbling block in the negotiations between Arsenal and early front-runner for the vacant position, Mikel Arteta, was believed to be the fact that the former Gunners midfielder felt uncomfortable about the level of control he would have over matters beyond the first team.
It sounds like Emery was much more willing to agree to the confines of the new role, which will see him concentrate on the day-to-day coaching of the team while matters such as recruitment and contract negotiations will be left to both Raul Sanllehi and Sven Mislintat.
It is a very trendy, European model that the Arsenal board have looked to implement at the Emirates and it will be interesting to see how successful it proves.
There was a mixture of confusion and fascination among supporters following the announcement as they tried to figure out just how much say Emery will have on potential signings.
Notable Arsenal are confirming Emery in fact as 'head coach'. Underlines the move away from an omnipotent manager that has quietly taken place at the club over the last 12 months.
— James Olley (@JamesOlley) May 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/IconicOziI/status/999214014197518336
Unai Emery is the head coach not the manager.
— White Kaftan (@iam_krypticmoh) May 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/KingCharn/status/999210710843494400
Arsenal trying to establish Unai Emery as head coach instead of manager. #WelcomeUnai pic.twitter.com/pPPgqiDnyM
— Samkit Udani (@SamkitUdani) May 23, 2018
Wenger – MANAGER
Emery – Head coach
The board have taken back control of the club. https://t.co/NrGSPte8Iq
— Francis Erokwu (@Ferokwu) May 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/VikashPatel94/status/999209630248075264
https://twitter.com/AK___Gramm/status/999208715743002624
