Reports | Arsenal’s 2018 manager shortlist included Thierry Henry and Antonio Conte
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Arsenal’s 2018 manager shortlist has been revealed with the list including Thierry Henry, Antonio Conte, along with nine other names. The club eventually picked Unai Emery with the Spaniard taking the club to a fifth place finish at the end of his first season just one point behind fourth.
When Arsenal first appointed Unai Emery it was supposed to be the dawn of a new era for the Gunners with the Spaniard promising to bring about tactical changes. While his era started well, with the club going on a 22 unbeaten run, nothing since then has gone right for the former PSG boss. The club would end up finishing the season just one point off fourth place after losing key games towards the end of the season.
That has continued this season with Emery now in the same position that legendary Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger found himself in. However, the Athletic has reported that when the Frenchman did leave the club at the end of the 2017/18 season, the Gunners created a shortlist that consisted of eight names. It included Massimiliano Allegri, Mikel Arteta, Thierry Henry, Julen Lopetegui, Ralf Rangnick, Jorge Sampaoli, Unai Emery and Patrick Vieira.
The Athletic further added that Antonio Conte, Maurizio Sarri, Eddie Howe and Brendan Rodgers were also considered but in the end, Emery was the unanimous choice by the club’s board. The report went on to reveal that the only true contender for the job was Mikel Arteta but his lack of managerial experience at any level and no proper backroom staff worked against him.
However, with the fanbase and critics asking for the former Sevilla boss to be sacked, the Athletic has revealed that the club will support the Spaniard till the end of the season but they believe that they've done all they can and it's all up to Emery to deliver. If he does deliver Champions League football, as Raul Sanllehi revealed earlier in the season, then the club will consider allowing him into the final year of his deal.
