Arsenal considered Pochettino before appointing Arteta in 2019

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 12:08 · Archive

Arsenal held talks with Mauricio Pochettino about becoming manager in 2019 before ultimately appointing Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal held serious conversations with Mauricio Pochettino about becoming their manager in autumn 2019 after sacking Unai Emery, who had lasted just over a year in the role. The Telegraph reports that Pochettino, who had been sacked by Tottenham ten days before Emery, showed willingness to discuss the position, though ultimately nothing came of the talks. A move across North London so soon after leaving Spurs would have risked damaging his reputation with his former club.

Arsenal considered several other established managers during the recruitment process. These included Carlo Ancelotti, Max Allegri, who had just won his fifth consecutive Serie A title with Juventus, and younger prospects such as Julian Nagelsmann at RB Leipzig. Patrick Vieira, then managing Nice, was also part of the discussions as the hierarchy considered former players for the role.

Mikel Arteta, who was working as a coach at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, ultimately secured the position in December 2019, beating out seven other candidates. However, Arteta had come close to a different path months earlier. According to an extract from Sam Dean's book Arsenal: The Inside Story of Arsenal's Rebirth Under Mikel Arteta, Newcastle United and owner Mike Ashley had pursued Arteta intensely in summer 2019, offering him an extraordinarily long contract far exceeding the normal length for a first-time Premier League manager. Arteta was tempted but declined the offer.

How it is being reported

• Premier League rivals nearly hired Mikel Arteta before joining ArsenalIn the summer of 2019, Mikel Arteta came close to joining another Premier League club before becoming Arsenal manager in the DecemberIndependent Sport · 20 Oct, 11:45
• Arsenal had 'serious conversations' with Mauricio Pochettino before Mikel Arteta landed jobArsenal considering bringing in ex-Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino as they sought a replacement for Unai Emery seven years ago, but ended up landing on Mikel ArtetaMirror Sport · 19 Oct, 16:27

In this story: Arsenal · Mikel Arteta · Mauricio Pochettino · Unai Emery · Tottenham · Newcastle United · Manchester City · Mike Ashley

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