Ronald Koeman Reportedly Eyed as Arsene Wenger's Replacement by Arsenal Board

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman is reportedly top of Arsenal’s shortlist of replacements for manager Arsene Wenger when he leaves the club.

That’s according to Mark Irwin of the Sun, who stated the job done by the Dutchman with Saints has impressed the decision-makers at the Emirates Stadium and pushed him to the top of the list of targets. “He is regarded within the Arsenal boardroom as the eventual replacement for football’s longest-serving manager,” added Irwin.

Wenger has one year remaining on his contract at the club, having been in charge since 1996. A lot of Arsenal fans would be happy to see the Frenchman depart earlier, though. 

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The Gunners, having looked as though they were going to mount a serious Premier League title tilt this term, have again wilted under the pressure of the chase and now face a fight to finish in the top four.

It’s been a miserable spell for Wenger and as noted by Bleacher Report UK, the team’s rivals are keen for the Frenchman to stick around as a result:

Nevertheless, whether it’s this summer or the next, Arsenal will be Wenger-less one day, and plans will be being made for the future. Koeman is certainly an intriguing choice of possible replacement.

Taking over from Mauricio Pochettino at Southampton last season was always going to be a difficult challenge, especially after the club moved on key players. But the Dutchman pushed Saints into a European spot last term, has them in the upper reaches of the league again in this one and has excelled when it comes to recruitment.

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy told Match of the Day earlier this campaign that Saints will have a difficult job keeping hold of their boss:

While the project he’s putting in place with Southampton is impressive, the chance to manage a team such as Arsenal would be a tempting one for Koeman. And should he have another season in the Premier League on the south coast, then perhaps the time would be right to take on a new challenge.

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He’s a figure who would command the respect of elite players given how successful he was himself during his playing days.

Additionally, his sides have always played balanced, attractive football, a trait which you suspect the Emirates Stadium faithful will demand from their next boss.

A refreshed outlook could rekindle a spark at Arsenal too. As BBC Sport’s Phil McNulty noted recently, the Frenchman seems to be lacking in conviction when it comes to his own methods:

So while a post-Wenger era is scary for a lot of supporters given the consistency he has brought to the club, that’s no reason to embrace change and hope a new man can build on those foundations. Not every football club will go the way of Manchester United, who have regressed since the retirement of long-serving manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The infrastructure, style of football and quality of player cultivated by Wenger gives any new boss a brilliant base to build from. Koeman has shown signs that he’d be capable of doing so, although you suspect there’d be plenty more established coaches willing to take this project on.