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The definition of a coach is someone whose job it is to train and organise a sports team. That’s the word of the Cambridge Dictionary anyway.
But when you look at Arsenal, there is a distinct lack of organisation.
There have been many problems that have shrouded the club since a Champions League final defeat to Barcelona in 2006. There’s been a lack of spending, a lack of silverware and on the face of it, a lack of coaching.
When Arsene Wenger arrived in England he completely revolutionised training methods and the way things were done behind the scenes. It’s rather ironic, therefore, that the club now finds itself considerably off the pace in so many aspects.
But where did it spawn from? Arguably, when Steve Bould stepped foot in a first-team environment.
The former player was an Arsenal stalwart throughout the 1990s. He was a leader of men and an authoritative defender. His coaching methods offer a stark contrast.
His job title is First Team Assistant Head Coach. It sounds pretty important, but what does he actually do?
The only notable difference we’ve seen from him is a bad one. He changed Arsenal into a zonal marking team and arguably ever since 2012 when he took over from Pat Rice as Wenger’s assistant, they’ve never looked convincing defensively.
Bould was supposed to be somewhat of a saviour. His impact, or lack of it, has been devastating for all the wrong reasons.
In truth, he’s let the club down. There’s arguably not a lot he can do about it but it remains surprising that Unai Emery decided to keep him around when he walked through the doors at the Emirates.
Long-serving coaching members were dismissed, whilst Jens Lehmann also left the club. The ex-Arsenal goalkeeper represents the ideal man you’d want to keep around, not an out of touch Bould.
Not many people associated with Arsenal seem to know what Bould does and if the Gunners are to witness a true improvement then perhaps he needs to leave too.
The 56-year-old doesn’t seem to do much from the bench either. On the other hand, Juan Carlos Carcedo, one of the coach’s Emery brought with him, has had an effect. That’s noticeable from the instructions he regularly issues from the touchline. Bould, however, sits there motionless.
It may seem harsh, but given the position Arsenal find themselves in season upon season, there has to be a change. Not only at board level but also from a coaching point of view.
Last May, former Liverpool assistant Zeljko Buvac was wanted by Arsenal’s ex-Head of Recruitment, Sven Mislintat, as the new manager. That never materialised and Mislintat would go onto leave anyway. That sums up the farcical nature of what goes on behind closed doors in north London.
Emery has still done a solid job this term, but might Buvac have had an effect as a member of his coaching team? His record alongside Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool suggests he would.
But there are more realistic measures Arsenal can take to improve. Freddie Ljungberg has done a wonderful job since taking the reins of the club’s U23s this season, developing and nurturing young prodigies like Bukayo Saka and Tyreece John-Jules. Perhaps it would be beneficial for the Gunners to promote him.
Obviously, he wouldn’t solve Arsenal’s defensive issues but he is the type of coach the first team could do with.
The Islington based side have already missed out on Mikel Arteta, they can’t afford to let other promising coaches depart too. Speaking of former Arsenal players, Kolo Toure seems to be having a bigger effect as a coach at Leicester than Bould ever has in N5.
When Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge of Manchester United, he went through seven assistant managers. It was an interesting approach but one that paid dividends and kept things fresh. Their top four rivals, Arsenal, could do with a similar ethos.
Bould can’t be held wholly responsible for the Gunners’ downfall, but it was a promotion back in 2012 that has backfired massively. He needs to go.
