Arsenal has sacked Emery after 18 months in charge of the club. His dismissal was “unfortunate but inevitable” and the more difficult challenge is to recruit a “suitable successor.”
Emery previously led Paris St-Germain to the French league title and won three Europa Leagues with Sevilla. He arrived in Arsenal in May 2018 where he succeeded Arsene Wenger.
Gunners have not won in the seven games. Instead, they have lost 2-1 at home to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League on Thursday.
This marks their worst ran without a victory since February 1992 which was eight games under George Graham.
Since October 6th, they are without a Premier League victory which drags them eight points off the top four.
An assistant and former Arsenal midfielder, Freddie Ljungberg has temporarily replaced Emery.
The assistant took up training on Friday. Also, the Arsenal statement added, “we have full confidence in Freddie to take us forward.”
“The search for a new head coach is underway and we will make a further announcement when the process is complete.”
Ljungberg posted on social media and said, “However long I oversee Arsenal for I will give everything. I have to put smiles on faces again. We have a busy few weeks ahead and the team needs your support. Let’s get to work.”
The information was handed over to Emery by Raul Sanllehi, Arsenal’s head of football and the technical director, Edu at about 09:00 on Friday. The players were informed at 10:00 as they arrived for a recovery session on that particular day.
Emery had his chance of saying goodbye to the players as Ljungberg took up the chance to address them.
Who is Emery’s suitable successor?
News leaked that Arsenal had identified Wolves’ boss, Nuno Espirito Santo as a potential replacement for Emery.
Other names linked with the post included Mauricio Pochettino, Mikel Arteta, Massimiliano Allegri and Eddie Howe.
Arsenal Supporters Trust, on the other hand, said, “Emery’s dismissal was unfortunate but inevitable. The most difficult challenge is to recruit a suitable successor.”
“We are far from certain that Arsenal has the right personnel to lead this process.”
“The AST has long been advocating that the most important changes needed at Arsenal are in the boardroom where the club needs better governance.”