Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn has backed Jurgen Klopp as the ‘perfect fit’ for Arsenal, when speaking exclusively to Goal.
Winterburn, who earned over 500 caps with the Gunners and played under manage Arsene Wenger, stated that he believes the Frenchman should remain for at least two more years.
Klopp sent media across Europe into overdrive earlier this month when he announced he would leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season- which saw the German immediately linked to jobs at Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Real Madrid and more.
Speaking to Goal, Winterburn stated Klopp has the ‘credentials’ to manage Arsenal- but he should not come in just yet.
If Arsene Wenger decides to step down or move upstairs, then obviously he’s a manager with the credentials, the way his teams play, I think a lot of people would think it’s a perfect fit,”
“It sounds good, it sounds right, I think in essence you never really know until that manager comes in and you see the players leave and the players come in, and where the team will finish.”
“It looks right, but again I would always hold judgement and wait – while supporting that manager – until he’s had at least one season to show what his methods are and what he can do for the football club.”
“My thoughts are quite clear, and that’s why I talk about the next three years. This year we’ve just had, in terms of the spending power and the players coming in, and the next two, where we’ll see the vision of where Arsenal are going to go and where they’ll be after that.”
“I would like Arsene Wenger to see out the next two years, and see where we are then, but obviously, with Klopp leaving Dortmund, it sort of puts the conundrum in because he’s been linked with Arsenal before, particularly when Arsenal were struggling. Wenger was coming under severe pressure, so I understand where it’s coming from but I would be surprised if there was a change this summer.”