Jose Mourinho is reportedly open to joining Arsenal should the London-based club decide to sack Unai Emery.
Arsenal are showing little to no sign of improvements under Unai Emery. The Spanish manager now finds himself on the hot seat with former foe Jose Mourinho now hovering as he’s expressed interest in the job.
According to ESPN, the Portuguese manager would consider Arsenal should the job become available.
Currently working as a pundit, the former Chelsea, Manchester United, and Real Madrid boss has been very outspoken and was at the club’s Europa League match against Vitoria.
Mourinho has made it no secret that he is eager to return to management and has expressed his desire to manage a top side. Arsenal apparently now fit that criteria.
Under Emery, Arsenal look no better than they did during Wenger’s final years. Arguably, they look worse since under the French manager they at least tried to play attractive football.
The club have spent under Emery and brought in players like Lucas Torreira, Nicolas Pepe, and Dani Ceballos to name a few. He has not gotten the best out of his players and some of the same problems under the previous manager continue.
David Luiz has not been the solution on defense and he seems to be on the cusp of losing the locker room.
Emery made Granit Xhaka the team captain and the player was booed when he was subbed off in their last game against Crystal Palace. Xhaka responded by swearing at the crowd, throwing his shirt, and immediately heading to the locker room.
Fans also began chanting for Mezut Ozil. Ozil has been brushed aside by Emery and he refused to answer questions about the German midfielder after the game.
Whether firing Emery is a good decision is up for debate. But bringing in Jose Mourinho would go against the identity the club have built up under Wenger.
Mourinho has long been the thorn in Arsenal’s side and brings in a ton of baggage. He may get Arsenal playing better defensively but the football is unlikely to get better. The club would be going from an idealist in Wenger to a pragmatist in Mourinho.
His last stints at top clubs have ended poorly for Mourinho; leaving a trail of outrageous quotes and broken locker rooms. He did so at Real Madrid, his second stint at Chelsea, and at his last job at Manchester United.
The rumor states that Mourinho is interested in the job but does not mention whether Arsenal themselves would be interested in him. This could all lead to nothing but it may be difficult for some in the board room to pass up a Mourinho who has something to prove.
Arsenal seem to be stuck in limbo with the club putting their faith on Emery and the manager not working out. The last thing they want to be is become the next Manchester United.
Unfortunately, that’s the case they seem to be headed into. Unai Emery could be their David Moyes. The question is: Do they want Jose Mourinho to be, well, their Jose Mourinho?