PHOTO: Arsenal identify a surprise replacement for Arsene Wenger

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RONALD KOEMAN is the surprise name at the top of Arsenal’s list of potential successors to Arsene Wenger.
Southampton’s Dutch coach has impressed the Emirates hierarchy since replacing Mauricio Pochettino at St.Mary’s two years ago.
Now he is regarded within the Arsenal boardroom as the eventual replacement for football’s longest-serving manager.
Wenger, 66, still has one year of his £160,000-a-week contract to run and confirmed last week that he intends to honour his commitments.
But he knows that the majority of Gunners supporters want a change of manger for the first time since he was appointed back in 1996.
And with thousands of fans planning to protest at Saturday’s home game against Norwich, Wenger is feeling the strain like never before.
The most successful manager in the club’s history retains the total backing of owner Stan Kroenke and chief executive Ivan Gazidis.
Wenger insists he'll see out his Gunners' contract
But there is a fear within the club that the growing unrest and relentless criticism is starting to take its toll on the manager.
Having led the Premier League table in January, the team is now clinging on for a top-four finish.
And failure to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 1997 could prove to be the final straw for Wenger
That is why Arsenal are drawing up contingency plans and Wenger has always said he will play no part in appointing his successor.
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone and PSG’s Laurent Blanc have also been identified as possible candidates for the job, but both would prove difficult to attract.
And neither have the same appeal as Koeman, whose tactical shrewdness and football philosophy fit the Arsenal bill.
Koeman, 53, has 12 months left on his £2-million-a-year Southampton contract and the club are keen to get him to commit to a new long-term deal.
But while he is willing to discuss his future with chairman Ralph Krueger this summer, he has never hidden his ambitions to manage a Champions League club again.
Saints will do everything in their power to keep their manager but know they could be powerless to prevent his departure.
Tottenham paid £2million in compensation when they lured Pochettino to White Hart Lane in 2014.

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