Aston Lukoye
- Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta suggests he may consider managing the England national team in the future.
- Arteta once thought about switching his international allegiance from Spain to England.
- He expressed pride in how highly regarded the England manager role is and respects the nation’s football history.
- Bukayo Saka is expected to play against Bournemouth despite early withdrawal from international duty.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has hinted at the possibility of managing the England national team in the future, noting his deep connection to the country where he has spent 22 years of his life. Arteta, a former Spanish youth international, revealed that he had once considered representing England at the international level and is open to coaching the national team one day.
Arteta’s comments come amid discussions about whether England’s next manager should be homegrown. Reflecting on the country’s football culture, Arteta emphasized the pride and passion associated with the England manager role. While he was not among the ten candidates interviewed to succeed current manager Gareth Southgate, Arteta expressed his respect for Thomas Tuchel, the current favorite for the position.
Arteta also acknowledged that the debate over whether England’s manager should be native is valid, but he stressed that the Football Association (FA) should focus on selecting the best candidate, regardless of nationality. He explained how special it feels to work in England, where he has spent much of his career both as a player and coach.
The Arsenal manager also touched on his personal experience, recalling how former England boss Fabio Capello wanted to call him up for the 2010 World Cup. However, FIFA regulations prevented him from making the switch from Spain to England, a move Arteta said he would have been proud to make.
As Arteta’s Arsenal continues to challenge for top honors in the Premier League, his openness to leading the England national team in the future will surely intrigue fans. For now, Arsenal is set to face Bournemouth on Saturday, with key players Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz expected to feature despite recent injury concerns. Arsenal could temporarily top the Premier League table before Manchester City and Liverpool clash on Sunday.
