Germany legend Lothar Matthaus reveals German tactician primed to replace Arsene Wenger

 

Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (L) and Thomas Tuchel (R) during their stint at Borussia Dortmund. [Photo: Courtesy]

Lothar Matthaus has revealed Arsenal are "in contact" with Thomas Tuchel over replacing Arsene Wenger.

Gunners bosses are weighing up options to swap out long serving chief Wenger after back-to-back dismal season in north London - with the club set to miss out on Champions League football again next season.

Wenger still has a year left on his current deal at the Emirates having signed a two year deal at the end of last season.

But after copious fan disquiet, which has led to dwindling crowds at the Emirates, the board is set to act in the summer - with the former Borussia Dortmund boss top of their wish list.

Bayern Munich are also heavily linked with Tuchel - after Jupp Heynckes announced he is retiring at the end of this campaign.

And Germany legend Matthaus has admitted contact has already been made between Tuchel and the Gunners, but runaway Bundesliga leaders are favourites.

"I think Thomas Tuchel could be the favourite [for Bayern]," Matthaus told Bild. "But I also know that he's in contact with Arsenal."

One stumbling block for the Gunners could be head of recruitment Sven Mislintat - who Tuchel worked and fell out with in Germany.

Mislintat said when Tuchel departed Dortmund: "I would probably never have come up with the idea to engage in other clubs.

"The ban initiated by the former coach to enter the training grounds and the instruction to keep me from the inner circle, players, the staff, and many friends with whom I have worked closely for years has greatly influenced my thinking."

Arsene Wenger has recently come under immense pressure after Arsenal posted disastrous results in the English Oremier league games, FA and League Cup finals.

The current FA Cup holders were whipped out of the competition by the lower side Nottingham Forest by 4-1 goal margin in a spectacular fashion. Wenger’s woes would then be piled by back-to-back 3-0 defeat at the hands of league leaders Manchester City in premier league and League Cup final respectively. Brighton then inflicted another painful 2-1 loss heightening Wenger’s tribulation at the Emirates.

With the search for wins being vicious, the Frenchman then redeemed his season by beating resurgent AC Milan in the Europa League, hence winning back the diminishing faith of the fans.

However, Wenger’s survival Arsenal coach may be hanging on strings after fan backlash, which has reduced the number of attendees for match days at the Emirates.