With Pat Rice set to retire his post as Arsene Wenger’s assistant at the end of the season, would youth team coach Steve Bould be the perfect candidate to take over? I think so.
The Metro recently reported that the 49-year-old former centre-back is the frontrunner to become Wenger’s next no.2.
Bould has spent 11 years at Arsenal, and was apart of the famous back four which was famed for its air-tight like seal. It only seems befitting that a player who knows how Arsenal play step up and assist Wenger as his right-hand man.
I believe Bould will be received with great excitement by all the Arsenal faithful. The man who won several major titles with the Gunners is no doubt loved by all at the club and would look the most likely to succeed Rice when he steps down in the summer. I’m sure Bould would be the player’s choice as Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs and Francis Coquelin, who have all won youth league titles with him since his appointment as youth team coach, are familiar with Steve’s work and vision for success.
Bould’s potential arrival and Rice’s retirement may lead to a change in tactics at Arsenal as well.
Rice and Wenger have been at it for so long they may have ran out of ides on how to do even greater things than what’s being achieved currently. Bould’s youth team is very well known for its defensive abilities. No doubt his tactical depth will be a plus. With the current quality we have and Bould’s inclusion into senior matters we may see our back four regain its feared status once again, and he may just throw in a few ideas to Arsene, possibly that of reverting back to the 4-4-2 system that saw us achieve such great feats in the past.
Should Bould become Wenger’s next assistant or is there another person within the club more suitable for the pending job?
Give us your thought and comments on the matter
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I agree that Bould is the obvious choice and I really hope it happens. He understands the traditions of the club, and also might bring a bit of defensive organisation to the team during training.
I dont agree that we may revert to 442 though. Apart from the fact that we will play the managers formation, playing 90 minutes at 442 is no longer a way to win football matches. It might be a good plan B, but no more than that.
I loved 442 as well though, it seemed more dynamic, there was more room and there seemed to be less confusion about marking etc. It is a thing of the past though.
totally agree, but as you are i am gutted the days of high tempo end to end football matches have gone. i miss 442 so much but only a plan b really these days unless you have exceptional players and extremely hard working number 10. its sad its gone though. i would like too know whether you agree that it could be pulled out against weaker opposition. kind of think the ultimate problem with swamping the midfield in the other formations 451, 433, 4231 etc. basically one up front is unless you have a cesc or a lampard etc there always seems to be a lack of people in the box. i know fergie still uses it unless in a big game. apart from the champion league final where they tried a 442 and got ripped apart. it was a big mistake.
I 100% agree that Bould should take over from Pat Rice(Who is a legend to any true gunner) Whether he does or not I would say will come down to boardroom politics.
It will be a waste of time unless Wenger allows him to run the defence properly and makes changes which are so necessary when the opp. have the ball. Wenger won’t.
I agree 100% that Steve Bould should be appointed as succesor to Pat(the legend) Rice, and maybe see Tony Adams or Dennis Bergkamp brought in as well. fingers crossed
technical coaches are needed,the game has changed its faster and more skillful than the adams days
Unfortunately Adams has not proved anything at manager level. No club in the premiership or Championship wants him and he didn’t last long in eastern Europe either. A manager has to have the skill of working with players of different cultures and maturity and getting the best out of them. It is not the same skills set required to be a great captain for team and country.