Barcelona managerial search: 3 Premier League teams are on high alert
By David Gate
![BARCELONA, SPAIN - JANUARY 26: Lionel Messi (2ndL) of FC Barcelona celebrates with his team mates Neymar Jr. (L) Andre Gomes (2ndR) and Luis Suarez after scoring from the penalty spot his team's second goal during the Copa del Rey quarter-final second leg match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Camp Nou on January 26, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) BARCELONA, SPAIN - JANUARY 26: Lionel Messi (2ndL) of FC Barcelona celebrates with his team mates Neymar Jr. (L) Andre Gomes (2ndR) and Luis Suarez after scoring from the penalty spot his team's second goal during the Copa del Rey quarter-final second leg match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Camp Nou on January 26, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/e66f62fd33bae95c6da2f819a6e6fc2fff0cee91b38ef8b08d1e653192f3f4e4.jpg)
Arsene Wenger – Arsenal
This rumor appears every time Barcelona have an opening. The crossover between his approach and the club’s philosophy makes it an obvious match. To date it has been a non-starter as Wenger has been single-minded in his desire to continue his legacy in North London and return Arsenal to Premier League glory. That goal now seems a distant dream.
It has been another disappointing season at the Emirates. They have fallen short of mustering a title challenge and have suffered another painful Champions League embarrassment. The ‘Wenger Out’ brigade have been louder than ever especially after last month’s 5-1 demolition at the hands of Bayern Munich. How much longer can this déjà vu continue?
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At this point a switch to Barcelona could be the best scenario for everyone. The Arsenal board do not want to fire a club icon; Wenger doesn’t want to retire yet; the Gunners fans want to try something new. There is growing unhappiness as they look to break the ‘Groundhog Day’ cycle they are experiencing season after season.
Barcelona have chosen younger managers in recent years but they may want the experience of the Frenchman as they battle it out every year with Zinedine Zidane’s Real and Diego Simeone’s Atletico. However Wenger is as stubborn as they come and has so far shown no desire to admit defeat in his Arsenal mission. This is a shame as it would be nice way to say ‘goodbye’ to North London without too much blood being spilled.