Wenger to Madrid: Who Can Replace Him If He Leaves?

Since the day the rumors of Arsene Wenger to Real Madrid began, I have been pondering upon the fact if he goes then who will replace him?

Here is a list of possible candidates I feel are qualified for the job:

Pat Rice:

The First Team coach of Arsenal and as Arsenal.com puts it, "A trusted lieutenant beside Arsène Wenger on the bench."

Pat Rice has been with Arsenal almost throughout his life. He arrived at Arsenal at the age of 15 and is still one of the best players who has worn an Arsenal jersey. He is one the brains of clubs and Arsene Wenger believes that Pat Rice makes him a better manager.

Pat Rice has also been the clubs caretaker manager before the arrival of Arsene Wenger.

Gareth Southgate:

We all love the Arsenal way of football, and Gareth Southgate seems like a true protege of Arsene Wenger. Both Southgate and Wenger hold similar beliefs in attractive football and youth development.

Furthermore, like Wenger Southgate believes in replacing players through his academy rather than dipping into the transfer market. With experience in the Premier League he could prove to be an ideal replacement for "The Professor".

Martin O'Neill:

Is currently giving Arsenal a run for their money, literally—Aston Villa are now three points ahead in the race for the Champions League with Arsenal's position in threat.

Martin O'Neill has made some smart buys and has also made superstars out of lesser known stars such as Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young. He has also fared remarkably against the top four.

David Moyes:

If Martin O'Neilll wants it David Moyes has already done it, he broke into the top four at the cost of their Merseyside rivals. However failure in European cup and lack of domestic cups is David Moyes' biggest failure.

Frank Rijkaard:

No one knows what happened to the man who was so successful in his first two seasons at Barcelona. The club had become nearly invincible before a horror season that lead to his sacking. Patient board will do him good at Arsenal and maybe he will bring Messi too (...just an afterthought).

Fabio Capello:

He has proved England can play football, the Euro Qualifiers look a distant memory. He has been very successful as a manager with Juventus and Real Madrid to name a few. Maybe he would know enough English by the time he is looking for a new job.

Dennis Bergkamp:

The legend, the genius, the greatest player the Premier League has ever seen, but we are talking about the coaching job here. I think bringing in Dennis Bergkamp will raise the spirits of the spirits of Highbury and now Emirates faithful, it will also allow the club to keep some of the players who would be unsettled after the departure of Wenger.

Bergkamp will also bring in his immense footballing knowledge and experience of playing in the three biggest leagues. Currently learning his coaching trade with the Ajax academy, maybe Ajax should first send him to Inter for two years before coming to Arsenal (sorry, couldn't resist).

Tony Adams:

Mr. Arsenal, he isn't a story of success at Pompey but maybe a move to his old club can inspire success for the prodigal son.

Another "Unknown Bespectacled Foreigner":

It worked the last time didn't it?

Whatever happens in summer, the fact is Arsene Wenger will leave the club sometime and the new manager will have huge boots to fill in.

I have just mentioned these few names because we all know that people will successful at Arsenal because of the board policy and where I am sitting I can't see an adequate replacement for Arsene Wenger.

If I have missed any name please feel free to suggest. In the end i would just like to conclude there can be a million contenders but there will only be one Arsene Wenger.