Arsenal have begun creating a shortlist of names of candidates to replace Arsene Wenger as manager and are targeting a move for RB Leipzig coach Ralph Hasenhuttl.
Wenger’s deal expires at the end of the season and neither club nor the Frenchman have given any indication as to their plans for after the current campaign.
However, The Sun reports that the Gunners are now actively searching for replacements and are considering Hasenhuttl after he took his side to the top of the Bundesliga.
The 49-year-old is relatively unknown in England but is enjoying a phenomenal season in Germany. His team sit first after 12 games, three points clear of reigning champions Bayern Munich and are still unbeaten this season in the Bundesliga.
Hassenhuttl has led his side to nine wins out of 12 and the leage leaders are also the division’s joint top scorers alongside Borussia Dortmund.
The report claims that Arsenal have actually been monitoring Hasenhuttl for two years since he was manager at Ingolstadt where he took the club from bottom of the German second division into the Bundesliga as champions.
Hasenhuttl took charge of RB Leipzig in May after chosing not to extend his deal with Ingolstadt and has guided the club to the best run of any side promoted to the Bundesliga.
The report claims that Arsenal are most impressed by his tactical intelligence and also his ability to nurture and bring through youngsters.
With Wenger yet to reveal his plans for the current season it is little surprise Arsenal are considering options in case they are required to replace the Frenchman and Hasenhuttl’s accomplishments this season are certainly eye-catching.