Brendan Rodgers regards Arsenal as 'dream job' as Gunners make him No.1 target

EXCLUSIVE: The Leicester boss would love to manage Arsenal - but they could be forced to wait until the summer to land him

Posted Sunday, December 01, 2019 by Dailystar.co.uk

Arsenal may wait until the summer to land their top managerial target Brendan Rodgers.

The Leicester boss privately regards the Arsenal vacancy as the ‘dream job’, according to sources close the Northern Ireland man.

But whether he is willing to ditch the high-flying Foxes, third in the table, less than a year into the job is proving a huge personal dilemma.

The ex- Celtic and Liverpool supremo, 46, is the leading choice to replace Unai Emery after his sacking on Friday.

But with Leicester set to demand £14million in compensation – and Rodgers deliberating the wisdom of switching at this stage of the season – a deal could be shelved until June.

The Arsenal interim coach has an attractive set of fixtures – starting with Sunday’s trip to Norwich and he said: “It’s about the team and the club.

"I’m trying to concentrate on the game. We’ll try to win that and if there are a few other games, we’ll see.

Brendan Rodgers regards Arsenal as 'dream job' as Gunners make him No.1 target
Brendan Rodgers is a top target for Arsenal (Image: Leicester City via Getty Images)

"We haven’t had some results and that’s what we’ve got to address. But how we address that, I’ll probably keep to myself.”

Ljungberg has revealed no timescale has been set for his spell in charge.

He said: “No, no indication of how long or how short.”

Arsenal director Josh Kroenke met with the club's players at the training ground on Saturday.

Brendan Rodgers regards Arsenal as 'dream job' as Gunners make him No.1 target
Josh Kroenke addressed the Arsenal squad at their training ground (Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

"My message to Freddie and the players was let's get back to basics and most importantly let's get back to having some fun," Kroenke said.

"I think footballers are at their best when I see smiles on their faces and going out there and winning matches.

"That's a winning formula to me."

Kroenke added: "First and foremost Freddie has Arsenal DNA.

"Obviously he was a player here for a number of years, the supporters know him very well and he's worked diligently behind the scenes for the past several years, including the last year and a half or so with Arsenal again.

"So it's been great to have him around, he knows the club's DNA and we feel he is the right person in the moment to take the club forward."