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da blaze casino： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
After the departure of Rafa Benitez earlier this summer, Newcastle fans were understandably in uproar. The Spaniard had carved out a cult hero status at St James’ Park, and it felt like a sense of Armageddon. Just how were the Magpies going to move forward? In the end, Mike Ashley opted for the safe option. A tried-and-trusted entity in Steve Bruce who has been around the proverbial block.
The moment the former Sunderland boss was confirmed as manager, he was already facing an uphill task. What the club needed was a shot in the arm. A risk. A punt on someone who fits the modern-style of ‘coach’ dominating the Premier League scene. Someone like Mikel Arteta.
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The ex-Arsenal midfielder has built a stellar reputation for himself at Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s number two, and saw his name linked with the top job at Newcastle this summer.
Judging by the level of praise Guardiola has bestowed upon his assistant, it really does beg the question – why didn’t Newcastle aggressively pursue the Spaniard?
Speaking back in May of 2018, the former Barcelona boss said of Arteta: “What we have done this season, Mikel his contribution was outstanding, amazing, we work together so good.”
To get a glowing endorsement from one of the best managers in the world is a massive seal of approval for Arteta. Working as a number two under Guardiola would have given him ample time to absorb important ideas, and naturally would have brought with him a desire to play attacking football.
Speaking to SER Catalunya, via The Chronicle, the former Everton midfielder admitted this week: “Sometimes, I was about to leave, but I stopped myself. The first (time) was different, the second was mostly me. I am not in a hurry and I have not felt that I need to take the step.”
Whilst Arteta himself may have intimated he didn’t feel ready to step into the shoes of management, Newcastle may have benefited hugely by simply taking a chance on him. It would have helped galvanise the fan-base. Going for someone like Bruce who has hardly pulled up any trees was plain boring, even if the Northumberland-born boss does keep them up.
Going for Arteta would have come with an exciting risk-factor and brought a sense of intrigue to the Magpies faithful.
As Spanish football expert Guillem Balague remarked: “It’s not difficult to imagine that his time spent under the coaching wing of Guardiola has been like a PhD course.”
If spending time under Guardiola was the degree, then Newcastle should have been Arteta’s first step out into the real world.
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