According to Dutch publication AD (via @SportWitness), Liverpool’s pursuit of Feyenoord coach Arne Slot could have ramifications for Arsenal with the Eredivisie side eyeing Mikel Arteta’s assistant Albert Stuivenberg as a possible replacement.
‘Airpod’ Albert was one of the Spaniard’s first appointments when he became the Gunners’ head coach in December 2019 and has been a consistent presence in the dugout ever since. Indeed, following the departure of Steve Round in the summer, Stuivenberg is viewed as Arteta’s closest and most senior adviser taking the team when the manager has been ill or banned from the touchline.
The 53-year-old started his coaching career working with the Netherland’s under-17s and under-21s before taking on a role with Louis van Gaal at Manchester United. It was there he met Ryan Giggs who would later hire him as an assistant for the Wales national team, a role that initially overlapped with his duties at the Emirates.
In between, Albert was manager of Belgian side Genk but last less than a year despite leading them to the quarter-finals of the 2016/17 Europa League.
It’s not the first time clubs in Holland have sniffed around Stuivenberg. In October last year, he was linked with the top job at Ajax but turned down the role to focus on ‘unfinished business’ with Arsenal.
It was suggested the Amsterdam giants might try again this summer although Feyenoord may have a better chance at testing Albert’s resolve.
He was born in Rotterdam and played for their youth team before embarking on a short-lived pro career that was ended prematurely by injury.
While Arsenal’s focus is firmly on the final four games of the season, there are rumours the club is preparing for a potential reshuffle of the backroom staff.
The Guardian reported in February that Norwich City, amongst others, are keeping tabs on Carlos Cuesta.
Elsewhere, Fabrizio Romano recently claimed former Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze had held conversations with Arteta about joining as a coach.
It’s certainly an area to watch this summer.
Hope he doesn’t go, but couldn’t begrudge him at all if he wanted a managerial opportunity
He’s been a terrific accompliment to Mikel in his time at the club
I agree.
I also compliment you on the resurrection of the word accompliment.
An excellent portmanteau of a word
It has been a common theme in recent years for asst managers of really good teams to be in demand. Klopp and Pep have experienced this, too (in Pep’s case, quite a lot).
Whatever happens, I know the club will find a good replacement. But I just liked seeing Airpod Albert with his calm demeanour next to wear-his-heart-on-his-sleeves Arteta.
Agree and i would had:
Bring back Santi 🤞
Hopefully. There’s been a few rumours about Heinze too, if I’m not mistaken
Turned down being manager at Ajax to stay an assistant with us? That’s pretty incredible honestly, he’s not at the sort of age you might say his whole career is still in front of him, I imagine most would’ve jumped at the opportunity.
But probably goes to show you how much of a tight family this is at the club and how they all want to win something for Arsenal. I’d be surprised if Cuesta too departs before we win anything… (and before he’s old enough to grow a mustache 👶)
That’s what I thought – that’s a huge job for a Dutchman to turn down – the biggest in the Netherlands.
Think behind the scenes at Ajax has been a bit of a shit show this season, so that may well have played into it.
Think he heard they were interested in signing Jordan Henderson.
He’s a Feyenoord man, he wouldn’t go to Ajax, and especially not with the mess they’re in behind the scenes. I think Feyenoord is probably the only club that could prise him away from Arsenal at the moment. Also, there must be better opportunities for Carlos than Norwich, surely. I would be gutted to see any of these guys leave, they’ve been so good for Mikel and us, but if they do go I hope it’s to somewhere that’s a really good opportunity, and they make a success of it.
Ferguson changed his staff regularly and it kept things fresh at OT with new ideas. As long as Mikel finds the right replacements it shouldn’t be a problem. It also shows the quality of the people we have at Arsenal.
Yeah, can’t imagine there will be a short of talented people right now chomping at the bit to become his understudies and coach this lovely & eager to learn group of young players
fun fact it’s actually champing at the bit, like how we’re champing at the bit to be champions
Good one,Yes! I,in my slight ignorance and tendency to be hard of hearing, have sometimes mistaken ‘champing, chomping and chumping’. The latter should only refer to a certain team which name shall not be punched out on my keyboard…
Yeah and conversely being too loyal to staff could have been one of the reasons Wenger fell into a rut of repeating the same mistakes in the 2010s. Coaches need to be constantly challenged with new ideas and not feel like they know the formula for success. Football changes all the time, but I guess when you’re focussed on the same group of players, working on the same things with the same coaches it’s hard to get a sense of those changes
With all due respect, Albert Stuivenberg and Carlos Cuesta are a huge step up from Steve Bould. Our management team is far, far from being stale, and there’s so much progress being made that they must all be thoroughly enjoying it.
The kind of character Heinze is, i wouldn’t mind him at Arsenal at all. Would fit right in with Benny Blanco and Kai, and might teach others a thing or two about the dark arts which you need at the highest level. If you don’t, the other definitely would if it gives them that tiny bit of advantage to win the final or a crucial head to head.
His first name is Gabriel as well so he’s already passed the culture fit interview.
I wish Albert well if he decides to move but he has been invaluable and will be missed. There must be a hundred candidates who the ‘press’ believe would be a good replacement but I am sceptical/cynical even about what most of the press actually know about such matters. (Probably nothing) Cazorla is a good candidate like few others because whatever the standard of his coaching, which I understand to be a high level, he is amaible and popular not to mention something of a legend at this club. Arteta can coach better than most but to have a trusted… Read more »