Arsenal to hold talks with Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti is regarded as one of the most successful managers in the world. [Courtesy]

Arsenal will sound out Carlo Ancelotti about the vacant managerial job at the Emirates.

Former Chelsea and AC Milan boss Ancelotti was sacked by Napoli on Tuesday night despite leading them into the Champions League knock-out stages.

Ancelotti, 60, will be high on Arsenal ’s shortlist as they begin to go through the candidates to succeed Unai Emery as Arsenal manager.

Italian Ancelotti is believed to be interested in a return to English football, likes London and would be an experienced option for Arsenal in a difficult time.

But it is still early days in the search as the four-man panel - head of football Raul Sanllehi, technical director Edu, managing director Vinai Venkatesham and contracts negotiator Huss Fahmy - speak to contenders and their representatives.

They have been sounding out some candidates rather than formal interviews and have an exhaustive list to get through as they want to be thorough and get the right man. Arsenal’s win at West Ham on Monday night has at least bought them some time with caretaker boss Freddie Ljungberg as they hope he can keep the seat warm until they get the right man in.

Ancelotti has won three Champions League trophies.[Courtesy]

There have been a raft of managerial links as agents have been putting their clients in while they have also spoken to several bosses but will get down to serious interviews once they have decided who is in the frame and who is also interested.

Former Valencia boss Marcelino has been spoken to but another Spaniard who also managed Sevilla may not go down well with the fans because of similarities to Emery.

Former captain Patrick Vieira is emerging as a serious contender despite a difficult season at Nice but the club are likely to sound him out as they look to make an appointment.

Former Arsenal player Mikel Arteta is also in contention for the job.[Courtesy]

Manchester City coach Mikel Arteta is also high on their hit-list while Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti could soon become available amid a difficult time in Italy.

They might have to wait until the summer before being able to get former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino but ex-Juventus boss Max Allegri is unlikely to be a serious candidate as Arsenal wants someone who speaks good English as one of the primary stipulations.

It is believed they have sounded out Bordeaux’s former Swansea boss Paulo Sousa and Belgium boss Roberto Martinez, formerly at Everton, is on their long list of people to talk to in the next few weeks. The four-man panel will then take their recommended candidate to Arsenal director Josh Kroenke, son of owner Stan and they will give it the green light.

Arteta was championed last time in 2018 by former chief executive Ivan Gazidis but that was blocked by older members of the board who are still there and may feel it is still too much of a gamble but they are confident he would come.