Marcelino is on Arsenal’s shortlist to replace Unai Emery as the club’s new permanent head coach, according to reports.

Former Valencia coach Marcelino Garcia Toral looks on during the Spanish League football match between Celta Vigo and Valencia at the Balaidos stadium in Madrid on August 24, 2019. (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP / Getty Images)
Former Valencia coach Marcelino Garcia Toral looks on during the Spanish League football match between Celta Vigo and Valencia at the Balaidos stadium in Madrid on August 24, 2019. (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP / Getty Images)

 

Goal in Spain were the first to report that Marcelino was a candidate for the head coach job. They claimed Arsenal had made contact, but that they faced competition from Sporting Lisbon. Goal also added that the former Valencia boss recently rejected Everton.

Now, Spanish journalist Kike Marin claims he’s confirmed that Marcelino is indeed on Arsenal’s shortlist for their next head coach. He adds that there are doubts after Unai Emery’s ‘bad experience’ in the Premier League though.

Marcelino has been coaching since the age of 33, starting with lower-league CD Lealtad and working his way up the divisions.

Most recently, he’s managed Sevilla, Villarreal and Valencia. He won the Copa del Rey and reached the Europa League semi-final last season.

It’s certainly a worry how similar his situation is to Emery’s though. They’ve managed a number of the same teams and excluding Emery’s time with PSG neither have had much success domestically.

Marcelino was one of 10 candidates linked with the Arsenal job in the immediate aftermath of Unai Emery’s sacking and Freddie Ljungberg’s appointment. Read our rundown on all 10 rumoured potential permanent replacements for Emery.