Despite Arsene Wenger leaving this summer, Jens Lehmann will remain at the club as part of a new-look coaching system.
There is an important update at the bottom of this page regarding the coaching dismissals that happened on Friday afternoon.
The Daily Mail report on Friday that the German will stay at the club, as we see more signs of the power once held by Arsene Wenger being divided amongst others.
It would have been unthinkable for the club to dictate what coaches would work under Wenger, but they seem to have no problem making those sorts of decisions now despite a new manager not yet being announced.
Lehmann returned to Arsenal at the start of this season as a first-team coach
Arsenal want to keep people who have a strong connection with the club to help the new management team when it is finally announced.
As such, Steve Bould will also remain at the club.
Some are suggesting that all this indicates Arsenal are going to opt for a younger head coach as a more established manager would want to pick his own staff.
But, according to Charles Sale, also writing in the Daily Mail, Arsenal are still divided on who would be best for the job with Sven Mislintat reportedly wanting Joachim Low, Raul Sanllehi Luis Enrique and Ivan Gazidis Mikel Arteta.
However, he also claims the crowd want Patrick Vieira because they were chanting his name.
Boro Primorac, Gerry Peyton and Tony Colbert are all expected to leave with Wenger.
Lehmann, speaking to Bild last summer, revealed that he is targeting a management position at some point in the future.
“Yes, that’s the point, the goal is to work somewhere independently. I spoke to Wenger. There were then two more talks, in which I told him what I can contribute,” he said.
“I am the only new guy in the coaching staff, so I will listen a lot and keep my eyes open. My place will also be more up on the stands than down on the bench, I suppose. I hope to contribute positively with this.”
When Wenger spoke to Arsenal player about Lehmann’s appointment, he revealed what the German offers: “He has a demanding attitude and can give his desire to win to the players, to help them achieve their targets. That’s what you want from these players,” he said.
“He can also give good advice because he has gone through periods where it was not easy for him, where it wasn’t all going well, and I believe his rigorous attitude to his career is similar to Per Mertesacker.
“It’s important that a team is surrounded by people like that.”
UPDATE
On Friday afternoon, a number of Arsenal coaches were released from their contracts after some worrying allegations came to light:
EXCLUSIVE by @laythy29: Arsenal suspend two coaches after allegations that bullying forced starlet Marcus McGuane to leave the club https://t.co/PKzhZOrSCK
— Islington Gazette (@islingtongztte) May 11, 2018
Just been told there is a 1st team staff meeting in the last hour and some members of the staff have been let go
— Darren (@DarrenArsenal1) May 11, 2018
Peyton gone
— Darren (@DarrenArsenal1) May 11, 2018
Told Neil Banfield also gone
— Darren (@DarrenArsenal1) May 11, 2018
Told Sal Bibbo also gone
— Darren (@DarrenArsenal1) May 11, 2018
Been also told ''strong indication'' that manager decision has move forward
— Darren (@DarrenArsenal1) May 11, 2018
According to the report in the Islington Gazette, Steve Gatting and his assistant, Carl Laraman, have both been placed on ‘leave of absence’ after reports of bullying young players.
A source told them, “They are under investigation for complaints of bullying.
“That’s why Kwame did the U23 final. I’m surprised more people didn’t pick on the fact he did the final instead of Gatting and Laraman.”
The other coaches who have been released are not connected to these concerning allegations. It has been known for some time that Petyon and others would be leaving with Arsene Wenger and today (Friday) was the last session at Colney for the season.
When the Gazette contacted Arsenal for a statement about the bullying allegations, they were told, “We have suspended two coaches and launched an investigation following complaints from some players.
“These are private matters and we will not discuss any further detail.”
