{"id":537963,"date":"2019-12-08T12:03:11","date_gmt":"2019-12-08T17:03:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=537963"},"modified":"2019-12-08T12:03:11","modified_gmt":"2019-12-08T17:03:11","slug":"arsenal-manager-hunt-mauricio-pochettino","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2019\/12\/08\/arsenal-manager-hunt-mauricio-pochettino\/","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal Manager Hunt: Mauricio Pochettino Doesn’t Rule Out Gunners Job"},"content":{"rendered":"

After previously vowing to never manage Arsenal<\/a>, Mauricio Pochettino declined the opportunity to distance himself from the position. This has only fueled speculation linking the Argentine to the vacant head coach’s job at the club.<\/p>\n

Mauricio Pochettino Doesn’t Rule Out Arsenal Job<\/h2>\n

Moment of Calm<\/h3>\n

Pochettino has indicated that he wants to return to management this season after a brief respite. Unlike other top managers, he has decided not to take an extended leave of absence until taking on a new challenge.<\/p>\n

Speaking to TyC Sports<\/a> in Rosario, Mauricio Pochettino was asked about the Arsenal job and a small smirk appeared on his face. The former Espanyol and Southampton<\/a> boss went on to say:<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s important to have a moment of calm to lower the decibels and find the energy to take on a new project, and we\u2019ll see where that is.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m going to spend a few days here with my family and friends, and then I\u2019ll return to London next week.”<\/p>\n

Mauricio Pochettino previously stated that he would never take charge of either Arsenal or Barcelona<\/a> due to his ties to Tottenham Hotspur<\/a> and Espanyol. Speaking in 2018 he said<\/a>:<\/p>\n

“I am never going to be manager of Barcelona or Arsenal because I am so identified with Tottenham and Espanyol. I grew up in Newell\u2019s Old Boys and will never manage Rosario Central.<\/p>\n

“That is my decision because I prefer to work on my farm in Argentina than in some places.”<\/p>\n

Perhaps his stance has softened since the sacking of Unai Emery.<\/p>\n

Club Stepping Up Their Efforts<\/h3>\n

Freddie Ljungberg’s interim tenure as head coach has not gone well. His first match, a 2-2 draw<\/a> away to Norwich City<\/a>, did hold some promise of a turn in form at the club. However, Thursday’s 2-1 loss at home<\/a> to Brighton & Hove Albion<\/a> was perhaps the team’s worst performance of the season.<\/p>\n

Therefore, they are stepping up their efforts to appoint a permanent head coach, according to the Telegraph<\/a>. No doubt they will want to make contact with Mauricio Pochettino in light of recent comments.<\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>