Arsenal Boss Arsene Wenger Decides on Assistant Manager to Succeed Pat Rice

The Daily Mirror is reporting the race to succeed Pat Rice as Arsene Wenger's primary assistant at Arsenal is over.

The paper says Wenger has decided on current reserve and youth team coach Steve Bould.

The former defender enjoyed a professional career that spanned 20 seasons from 1980-2000.

Bould spent his first eight seasons at his hometown club Stoke before moving to Arsenal in 1988. He proved a stalwart in the Gunners' back line over 372 appearances (and three league titles) in London.

Bould ended his playing career in 2000, after a final season spent at Sunderland.

He returned to Arsenal in 2001 as a coach and has been there ever since. The 50-year-old now coaches reserve and youth academy teams at the club.

He oversaw the team that won the 2009 Youth Cup and has led sides that won two FA Academy Premier League titles.

Bould will take over from Pat Rice, who is stepping down at the end of the season due to health concerns.

Rice has been a fixture in Arsenal's coaching ranks since first signing on in a management role in July 1984.

The Daily Mirror report indicates current reserve team coach Neil Banfield will also be promoted to assist Bould in his work with the first team.