Carlo Ancelotti has jumped to the front of the pack to become the next Arsenal manager.
The former Chelsea boss was sacked as Napoli manager on Tuesday night, just hours after guiding the Serie A side to the knockout stages of the Champions League.
The Italian is one of just three managers in history to have won the European Cup on three occasions, a trophy which Arsenal are yet to win in their entire history.
Ancelotti has been linked with the role since Unai Emery was sacked at the end of November, and his availability has seen bookmakers Betfair now rank the Italian as an evens favourite for the job.
His rise sees Mikel Arteta and current interim boss Freddie Ljungberg fall down the pecking order, while former Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri remains in the running.
Standard Sport understands Allegri is open to the idea of moving to north London but would need to be convinced of both the club’s ambition and the sincerity of their interest, having been left disappointed by the process when interviewed after Wenger left Arsenal in the summer of 2018.
Arteta meanwhile was one possible option for the club when Arsene Wenger left, only for Arsenal to move for Emery.
Here are the managers who could replace Unai Emery as Arsenal manager, according to the bookmakers…
| Carlo Ancelotti | Unemployed, sacked by Napoli | Evens |
| Mikel Arteta | Man City assistant coach, ex-Arsenal captain | 6/1 |
| Freddie Ljungberg | Arsenal interim head coach | 9/1 |
| Patrick Vieira | Nice | 9/1 |
| Massimiliano Allegri | Unemployed | 14/1 |
| Paulo Sousa | Bordeaux manager | 14/1 |
| Mauricio Pochettino | Unemployed/Former Tottenham manager | 17/1 |
| Marcelino | Unemployed | 17/1 |
| Rafa Benitez | Dalian Yifang | 20/1 |
Odds provided by Betfair, as of 4.30am GMT on Wednesday 11 December.
Vote in our poll above.
