Former England striker, Brian Deane, is pretty adamant that Bournemouth boss, Eddie Howe, won’t be the man to take over at Arsenal once Arsene Wenger steps down.

Howe has been linked the Arsenal job more than once over the past few months but Deane doesn’t think it would make commercial sense and it therefore wouldn’t happen. This, he explains, it because Howe is English and English managers aren’t as attractive commercially as big name managers from Europe.

“I was happy that candidates for the England job included Steve Bruce, Alan Pardew and Eddie Howe,” Deane said to Bwin.

“That’s how it should be and as English players, you need a manager who understands their culture.

“There have also been rumours that managers such as Howe have been earmarked for grander positions at Arsenal but let’s be real, he’s not going to get that job – it’s not a commercially wise decision.”

Deane explained, “[Manchester] United are dictated by share prices so if they hire a relatively low-profile manager, their shares will fall.

“They then hire Mourinho and those share prices increase.”

I do see where Deane is coming from, although I’m not quite as convinced as he is that Howe won’t take over at Arsenal. I’m hoping that when the time comes, the club make the decision that’s best for us as a whole rather than just commercially. Admittedly, these do tie into each other at times though.

At the moment, I have no clue when Wenger will leave or who will succeed him. As ever, I’m just along for the ride.