Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez is on the managerial shortlist to replace Arsene Wenger at Arsenal.
According to the Mirror, “Benitez is one of four names that have been identified by the Arsenal hierarchy as suitable for the job,” and the Spaniard will ask Thierry Henry, currently assisting Roberto Martinez at Belgium, to join him on the coaching staff at the Emirates.
Benitez adds to a selected list of European candidates including the likes of Borussia Dortmund’s Thomas Tuchel and Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim. With uncertainty circulating, Arsenal have began making contingency plans in case of Wenger’s decision to leave the club.
Arsene Wenger has been at the helm of the Gunners since 1996, but with his contract up this summer and his team currently 10 points off the top, questions have been asked about whether the Frenchman will choose to extend his contract beyond the end of the season.
A move for the ex- Liverpool and Chelsea manager would be a huge blow to Newcastle, who currently sit at the top of the EFL Championship.
The 56 year-old has a host of Premier League and European experience having also managed Inter Milan and Real Madrid in 2010 and 2015 respectively. Although, Benitez is arguably most renowned for his tactical gestures and guiding Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2004/05.
On Saturday, Wenger served the final match of his four-game suspension following Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Hull at the Emirates. A double from Alexis Sanchez lifts Arsenal into joint second place- third on goal difference, although the prospect of a first league title in 12 years looks bleak, barring a huge turn of events across London and Manchester between now and the end of the
season.
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