CARLO ANCELOTTI has stormed up the table to become the new bookies’ favourite for the vacant Arsenal manager’s job.
Former Gunners star Mikel Arteta had led the way, with Manchester City not preparing to stand in the way of their assistant coach.
The 37-year-old – who is the current assistant manager at Manchester City – spent five years as a player at the Emirates between 2011-2016 where he eventually retired.
Yet, Ancelotti rose to the top after being sacked by Napoli on Tuesday night.
The former Chelsea, AC Milan and Real Madrid boss is currently EVENS, according to Ladbrokes, with Everton also chasing the Italian’s signature.
Should Arsenal fail to land him, they can turn toArteta – who won two FA Cups during his spell with the Gunners.
He was interviewed for the job when Arsene Wenger stepped down, but he narrowly lost out to Unai Emery and is now 4/1 to get the job this time around.
SunSport exclusively revealed last week how the Citizens were ready to bring back former assistant boss Domenec Torrent to the Etihad in case Arteta leaves.
Pep Guardiola believes that the ex-Everton midfielder can succeed him at City when his contract expires in 2021, but stressed he won’t hold him back from departing.
Arteta sits ahead of former Juventus gaffer Massimiliano Allegri who is 9/2, while the Gunners could turn to another Spanish coach in ex-Valencia boss Marcelino to replace Emery on a permanent basis.
Freddie Ljungberg has taken charge on an interim role since Emery departed – with the Super Swede winning just once out of his three matches at the helm.
That victory came against his former employers where Arsenal came back from behind to win 3-1.
It was the club’s first win in their last ten games in all competitions, with the North Londoners now ninth in the Premier League table and has slipped down the bookies’ list to 10/1, joint with Eddie Howe, Mauricio Pochettino, Niko Kovac and Rafael Benitez.
Yet, just ahead of Ljungberg is a former team-mate of his in Patrick Vieira, who is currently in charge of Nice in France.
But despite the vital three points, Ljungberg is 10/1 to get the job on a full-time basis.
Former Valencia manager Marcelino has reportedly held talks with Arsenal, and the Spaniard has been priced at 8/1 to make the move to England.
Patrick Vieira is also understood to be in the running, with the Nice boss also at 8/1 to return to the club he won three league titles with.
