It has been revealed the man who former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wanted to be his replacement at the Emirates. Wenger, who spent 22 seasons at Arsenal, did not want current Gunners manager Unai Emery as his replacement. If the Frenchman had his way, current Napoli manager Carlo Ancelotti would be Arsenal’s manager.
Arsene Wenger wanted Carlo Ancelotti at Arsenal
According to the Mirror, Wenger was interested in Carlo Ancelotti succeeding him and the Italian was open to the appointment. However, once Arsenal hired Emery, Ancelotti moved to Napoli despite his family living in London.
The Italian has not forgotten about the Arsenal managerial rejection. It is likely Ancelotti will use it as motivation when the sides meet in the Europa League.
Arsenal versus Napoli – Europa League
Ancelotti will take his Napoli up against Arsenal in the Europa League quarterfinals in April. The Italian is having a successful first season in charge of the Partenopei although they are 15 points off of leaders Juventus.
Napoli are currently second in Serie A and look likely to make the Champions League once more. The Italians are one of the Europa League favourites, according to leading sportsbooks.
Arsenal also go into the game as a leading favourite to win the cup. However, Napoli currently just edge the Gunners in odds.
The Arsenal boardroom
While Wenger didn’t get his favoured successor at the club, the Gunners have failed as a whole to appoint their preferred sporting director.
This week it was revealed that former Sevilla and Roma sporting director Monchi turned down an offer to work in north London.
Monchi has been praised for the work he did at Sevilla in helping the club make hundreds of millions of euros in transfer profits.
He was unable to do the same at Roma and his transfer dealings have been derided. Monchi will be forever remembered in the Eternal City for selling Roma stars Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker to Liverpool in back to back summers.
