Freddie Ljungberg has reportedly signed a new contract formalising his new role at the club with an announcement expected at the start of the week.
Steve Bould and Freddie Ljungberg are seemingly set to switch teams, with Bould taking over the u23s and Ljungberg joining the first-team setup.
According to various reports in the last week or so, Ljungberg has been offered a new position alongside Unai Emery, with the aim that he’ll help the most talented u23 stars progress to the first-team.
The Evening Standard wrote that Arsenal are aware that their restricted summer transfer budget will mean the need to look at internal solutions to problem positions next season. With Ljungberg’s success with the u23s this campaign, he’s seen as a valuable asset in helping the young players progress.
Freddie Ljungberg has now signed a new contract with the club for his new role. Announcement expected, possibly today/Monday
— Darren (@DarrenArsenal1) June 14, 2019
Ljungberg has certainly done excellently in his first season with the academy. Despite a turbulent start as the side adapted to his ideas and a number of players were lost to loans, sales and injury early on, the 42-year-old turned things around to finish second in the league and go unbeaten in 2019.
More than that, it’s clear that a number of players benefitted individually from Ljungberg’s coaching. Joe Willock had his best season by far, Bukayo Saka stepped up from the u18s to be one of the u23 players of the year and Tyreece John-Jules got better and better as the season went on, to name but a few.
Ljungberg’s promotion is reportedly already making it seem more likely that the likes of Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe will remain at the club next season.
Meanwhile, Bould will be taking over from Ljungberg as u23 head coach. Bould has worked with the academy before in the past, having a lot of success with the Arsenal u18s from 2001 to 2012. This will be his first time taking charge of the u23s though.
There’s no doubt that Bould was a good coach for the u18s, and he’ll likely be just as effective with the u23s if given time. However, the main concern is how this will affect the side’s style of play.
Ljungberg had a very distinct style during his year in charge, utilising possession football and playing out from the back, as well as devastating quick counter-attacks when appropriate.
Bould has always been seen as a more defensive coach, so if he makes significant changes to Ljungberg’s style it may mean another year spent on adaptation.
On the other hand, Bould’s focus on the defensive side may help the players as individuals to develop that side of their game as well. Hopefully, that’s what the Arsenal hierarchy are going for.