Mourinho ‘dines with Arsenal’s head of football Sanllehi’
... amid increasing scrutiny on current Gunners manager, Emery
Arsenal’s head of football, Raul Sanllehi, reportedly dined with Jose Mourinho last week as concerns over Unai Emery’s future continue.
Emery’s side yet again let a lead slip in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Wolves to leave them in fifth place with just 17 points from 11 matches.
Emery, who took over from legendary Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, has come under intense scrutiny after missing out on Champions League football last season and overseeing a poor run of form so far this term.
And according to the Times, former Chelsea and Manchester United boss Mourinho recently dined with Sanllehi, who was left impressed by the Portuguese’s plans for the squad.
The Gunners hierarchy have become concerned by fractures that have formed between Emery and senior members of the squad, with the club beginning to prepare for a change of management.
The north London outfit are on the search for a manager with a strong knowledge of the Premier League, who can stamp his authority and bring a clear identity to the team.
They also want a manager who will have no language barriers with his playing squad, which is proving to be a stumbling block for Emery at the moment.
The report also claims that Emery has only just ‘one or two games of credit’ remaining at the Emirates with the next international break looming.
Mourinho was recently at Arsenal’s Europa League 3-2 victory against Vitoria, reportedly sitting alongside Sanllehi in the stands.
The 56-year-old is interested in returning to the Premier League and according to the Sun, he wants to become the first manager to win major trophies at three English clubs.
Mourinho won the Europa League and the League Cup with Manchester United, as well as seven major trophies with Arsenal’s London rivals Chelsea.
Mourinho has been out of work since being sacked by United last December, less than a year into a new contract that was due to run until 2020.
It would be a hugely controversial appointment if Mourinho was to become Arsenal boss, following his infamous spats down the years with the club’s greatest-ever manager Wenger.