Massimiliano Allegri Odds-On Favorite to Replace Unai Emery as Next Arsenal Manager

• Max Allegri odds-on favorite to replave Unai Enery at Arsenal
• Wolves’ Nuno Espirito Santos is second-favorite
• Leicester’s Brendan Rodgers an interesting outsider at 25/1

Following the sacking of Unai Emery at Arsenal, some big names are already in the frame to replace him. While his assistant Freddie Ljungberg has been given temporary charge and will lead them at Norwich on Sunday, Max Allegri has already emerged as the clear favorite, followed by Nuno Espirito Santo and Ljungberg.

But is Allegri the man, or is another manager a better bet to take over? We’ll take a closer look.

Next Arsenal Manager Odds

Odds taken on Nov. 29

Stellar Allegri in Serie A

Allegri’s stellar career, which includes successful spells at two Italian giants, has propelled him to the top of the betting to be the next Gunners’ manager. A managerial career than began in the lower divisions of Italian football saw him hit the big time when he joined AC Milan in the summer of 2010. A Serie A title win in his first season in AC Milan, his first major honor, brought him to the attention of Juventus, who signed him at the end of the 2013/14 season.

What followed was little short of sensational, with the Old Lady, under his stewardship, winning four consecutive Serie A/Coppa Italia doubles – from 2015-15 to 2017-18 and another Serie A title in 2018-19. They also reached the Champions League final in 2015 and 2017, losing to Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively.

https://twitter.com/WorldwideAFC/status/1200374591211921408?s=20

The problem for Allegri was his failure to land the Champions League and with the Holy Grail remaining elusive for the Turin club, he was shown the door at the end of the 2018/19 season, being replaced by former Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri. He has been without a club since, which makes him a perfect fit for Arsenal, as does his preferred playing style, which is patient, accurate, short passing through the thirds – something that will find favor with the Gooners. He’s odds-on because he ticks almost all the boxes.

Nuno on Gunners’ Radar

Another contender is Wolves’ manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who has done a superb job at the English Midland’s club since taking the reins back in 2017. After guiding them to promotion from the English second tier, he managed to take them to the upper reaches of the EPL, earning them a place in the Europa League.

Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo has emerged as the leading candidate to be Arsenal’s next manager, having impressed Arsenal hierarchy with the job he has done at Wolves & the long-standing relationship between head of football Raul Sanllehi & Santo’s agent Jorge Mendes. [Mail] pic.twitter.com/HvLkn3nuyb

— afcstuff (@afcstuff) November 26, 2019

Arsenal’s head of football, Raul Sanllehi is known to have a close working relationship with Nuno’s agent Jorge Mendes and the English newspapers have been reporting that the Gunners have already made contact with Wolves. This one may be worth following and 5/1 is worth an early bet.

The Ball’s in Freddie’s Court

Freddie Ljungberg’s chances of taking the job full-time – he’s been working as Emery’s assistant – will depend on how his interim spell goes. A series of wins and smiles back on the faces of the Arsenal players and it would be difficult for the Gunners’ board to ignore. At this stage however, 6/1 doesn’t look great value for Ljungberg, but well worth considering is the 11/2 for Mikel Arteta, who was interviewed for the job prior to Emery’s appointment.

https://twitter.com/ArsenalHQ19/status/1200409211714375680?s=20

Arteta and Rodgers Both in the Frame

Arteta has picked up a fine coaching reputation under Pep Guardiola at Man City and as an ex-Arsenal player would be quickly accepted by the Arsenal fans. He’s certainly one to watch, as is one of the outsiders in the betting, Brendan Rodgers.

https://twitter.com/ArsenalHQ19/status/1198908619024146432?s=20

The current Leicester boss tried to distance himself from the job in his pre-match press conference today but if the Gunners were to ask permission to talk to him, it would be a tricky one for the Foxes board to manage. Rodgers is a good manager with a proven EPL record and at 25/1 is well worth a shot for those who like to speculate.

Another outsider who may end up with much lower odds as the week progresses is Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe. He’s another who is highly-rated in EPL circles and is known to play a brand of soccer that would fit in perfectly with the type expected by the Arsenal fans.

Pick: Mikel Arteta +550