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The real reason why Arsenal ‘never’ considered Jose Mourinho as Unai Emery’s replacement in 2019 before he joined Tottenham
Jose Mourinho and Arsenal have always had a difficult relationship.
The self-proclaimed Special One achieved immense success at Chelsea many years ago and then returned to Stamford Bridge to win another Premier League title there.
During that period, Mourinho had several jabs at Arsene Wenger, and that rubbed Arsenal fans the wrong way for several years.
However, in 2019, after Unai Emery’s disastrous start to his second season, Mourinho was linked with the Arsenal job.
But, he didn’t get it for one reason.
Why Arsenal did not consider Jose Mourinho to replace Unai Emery in 2019
Arsenal were linked with several big names after things started to go wrong for Emery.
Carlo Ancelotti was said to be an option at the time, as were the likes of Massimiliano Allegri, Marcelino and Niko Kovac.
Another name that was linked to Arsenal was Jose Mourinho, who, according to at the time, even had dinner with then-Gunners’ Head of Football Raul Sanllehi.
Mourinho was even spotted at the Emirates Stadium during a game between Arsenal and Vitoria Guimaraes in the Europa League.
But, Arsenal did not offer him the job for one reason, revealed in March 2021.
The source told the outlet that Mourinho was “never even remotely considered” to replace Emery because “the football he plays is not on our line of thinking.”
Another source added at the time that the Portuguese tactician probably visited the Emirates Stadium to “leverage his position in negotiations with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy”.
Interestingly, less than a month after his visit to Arsenal’s home ground, Spurs appointed Mourinho as their new boss.
Arsenal got it right when they snubbed Jose Mourinho
Some sections of the Arsenal fan base were open to the idea of Mourinho replacing Emery at the helm at the Emirates.
But, the decision makers at the club were absolutely right to stay away from the Special One.
Yes, Mourinho is one of the greatest managers the game has ever seen, but his style of football goes completely against Arsenal’s DNA.
To add to that, almost every time he leaves a club, they end up in a mess – Tottenham are a good example of that, and they are still struggling.
Arsenal chose Mikel Arteta to replace Emery, and that has proved to be one of the best decisions the Gunners have made in their history.