CALCUTTA (India): Unai Emery was sacked as Arsenal manager on Friday after less than two years in charge and with the club without a win in seven games.
The 48-year-old was fired following the 2-1 home defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in Thursday’s Europa League match.
His assistant Freddie Ljungberg takes over as interim manager during the search for a permanent replacement.
“Our most sincere thanks go to Unai and his colleagues who were unrelenting in their efforts to get the club back to competing at the level we all expect and demand. We wish Unai and his team nothing but future success,” a statement on the Arsenal website confirmed the news.
“The decision has been taken due to results and performances not being at the level required. We have asked Freddie Ljungberg to take responsibility for the first team as interim head coach. We have full confidence in Freddie to take us forward,” the club said.
Ljungberg will be the first Swedish manager to take charge of a Premier League game since Sven-Göran Eriksson, whose last game in the competition came in May 2008 in charge of Manchester City.
Among those in the mix for the permanent job include former Gunners star Mikel Arteta, Pep Guardiola’s assistant at champions Manchester City, ex-Juventus handler Massimiliano Allegri and Wolves Portuguese manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
The search for a new head coach is underway and we will make a further announcement when that process is complete.
