Arsenal held serious talks with Mauricio Pochettino about becoming their manager in 2019, which could have changed the fierce rivalry between the Gunners and Tottenham Hotspur.
According to The Telegraph’s Sam Dean, who revealed the details in a new book about Arsenal’s journey to Premier League glory, Pochettino was among several candidates Arsenal considered after dismissing Unai Emery in November 2019.
The Argentine was available, having been sacked by Tottenham just 10 days before Emery’s exit.
Dean reported that Arsenal held serious discussions with Pochettino, who was also willing to explore taking charge at the Emirates Stadium.
That would have been a major talking point in English football, given the historic rivalry between the two north London clubs.
Transfers between Arsenal and Tottenham have been extremely rare.
William Gallas was the last player to move directly between the two clubs when he joined Tottenham from Arsenal in 2010.
Before that, Sol Campbell made headlines in 2001 when he left Spurs to join Arsenal on a free transfer.
Pochettino moving from Tottenham’s dugout to Arsenal’s would have created a remarkable chapter in the rivalry.
However, he was not the only notable name considered for the Arsenal job following Emery’s dismissal.
Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira reportedly impressed the club’s hierarchy during his time in charge of French side OGC Nice.
Roberto Martinez, who was managing Belgium’s national team, was another leading candidate and even made it far into Arsenal’s selection process.
Former Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Vitor Pereira was also considered, alongside experienced coaches Carlo Ancelotti, Julian Nagelsmann and Massimiliano Allegri.
Despite the impressive credentials of several candidates, Arsenal’s then-technical director, Edu, chose a different approach by appointing Mikel Arteta.
The Spaniard had no senior management experience and had worked as an assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
His appointment was a huge gamble for a club hoping to return to the top of English football.
That decision has since delivered impressive results. Arteta has since led Arsenal to a Premier League title, the FA Cup, and three Community Shield trophies.