Sooner or later, the Gunners will have a new man at the helm of affairs, as Arsene Wenger’s retirement gradually becomes an inevitable reality with every other game played.
Many names have popped up in the past months, and RB Leipzig’s manager Ralph Hasenhüttl has recently emerged as one of the most likely potential successors to the 67-year-old French tactician.
Bournemouth’s Eddie Howie has also been frequently linked with the Arsenal job since guiding the 2014-15 Championship winners to a safe spot last term, and also for his brand of an attractive style of football that sees the Cherries currently occupy 10th spot on the log.
But which of these 2 is most suited for the top job soon to be available? SmartBets.com offer great insights into such things.
Like it is in Wenger’s case, Arsenal might want a long-term manager. One who is able to lead the team to deliver a high level of quality performance over a period of time, and also have a specific project for the club. Howe is 39, while Hasenhüttl is 49. As far as long-term replacement goes, the 2 fits the bill perfectly.
Both have also overseen a club’s rise from the lower divisions to the top flight in their current leagues, so they boast of similar achievements and track records.
In 2011, Hasenhüttl took VfR Aalen from the 3rd division (3. Liga) to the 2nd division (2. Bundesliga). 2 years later, the Austrian tactician also successfully oversaw the promotion of FC Ingolstadt 04 to the Bundesliga after 2 seasons in charge, and he kept them in the top division last season before switching to Leipzig this summer.
Howe orchestrated something identical at the Vitality Stadium, as he lead them from the League One to the Championship in 2013, secured Premier League promotion with them 2 seasons later and guided them to a 16th place finish in the club’s first ever top-flight campaign.
Both can be regarded as overachievers, having done great with teams nobody gave a chance. But which of them can transfer such type of success to the big type of success Arsenal are in need of. At the Emirates, there will be adequate funds to land the needed transfer targets, and both have mastered the act of doing just that.
Upsetting the regular suspects in the Bundesliga to, Hasenhüttl has inspired Leipzig’s dominance and current exploits. Some tip them to steal the prize away come May.
The Austrian tactician has instilled a winning mentality into his players, and the team’s playing style of counter attacks, attacking down the wings, converting set pieces, creating and finishing scoring chances is doing the trick perfectly.
Hasenhüttl has been impressive and looks just like the perfect man to take over from Wenger. While English football is different from German’s, both are similar in terms of technicality, and if he has been able to succeed against all odds, his chances of attaining greater heights at a place like Arsenal are very high.
Howe has also been impressive since arriving the topflight, and recently outwitted Klopp some days ago. He also almost caused an upset against Arsenal some fortnight ago. But while he is unarguably tactically sound, the English manager cuts across as someone only able to inspire underdogs to victory.
Though he hasn’t been given the benefit of the doubt and trusted with managing a big side, giving him the Arsenal job might be a gamble. One that might pay off or not. The advantage Hasenhüttl has over him is that – though the Austrian is yet to manage a big side too, his current exploits means he is as well capable of doing the same with Arsenal.
Howe might also do that, but he seems fitted for inspiring survival, and grinding out results just to get the points and maintain a safe position on the log. While he remains a good coach, he just doesn’t cut across as one able to execute the Arsenal job properly, at least not at the moment. Ralph Hasenhüttl looks more like it.