Manchester, United Kingdom: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola wants Mikel Arteta to remain a member of his backroom staff amid reports the former Arsenal midfielder could succeed Arsene Wenger at the Gunners. Arteta has been mentioned as one of the main contenders to take over from Wenger when the veteran French manager leaves London club Arsenal at the end of the season.
Arteta, 36, has been one Guardiola’s assistants at the Etihad Stadium since July 2016. Guardiola was keen to talk up former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique, currently on a break from football, for the impending vacancy at the Gunners but wanted Arteta to stay at City.
“Luis is an excellent and amazing manager,” Guardiola, himself a former Barcelona player and manager, told a news conference on Friday.
“He can go wherever he wants. Of course Arsenal is one of the biggest clubs in the world.”
Guardiola, whose City side have already secured the Premier League title, added: “My opinion about Mikel is overwhelming. One of the reasons for our success this season is because Mikel is here.
“We are so comfortable, not just me, working with him.
“I know there a lot of names of the next manager after Wenger but the same with Luis Enrique, I don’t know the plan for Arsenal. Of course, Luis Enrique I know well.” ‘Records not forever’ Meanwhile, Guardiola has also told winger Leroy Sane to use Ryan Giggs as his role model on the pitch. Germany international Sane was named the Professional Footballers’ Association young player of the year on Sunday after a superb season which helped propel City to the title. — AFP
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
