Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger looks set to promote youth and reserve team coach Steve Bould to the assistant manager’s position at the Emirates Stadium, The Mirror reports. The former Gunners defender has been coaching the youth and reserve teams for 11 years with extreme success.
Under the guidance of Bould, Arsenal’s youth team has developed talents such as Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere and the 49 year old has come under much acclaim in recent weeks. Pat Rice, the current assistant under Wenger, is due to retire in the summer and Bould has been earmarked in his absence. Many of the first-team squad, including goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and Francis Coquelin, have worked under Bould during their time in North London.
Bould is the only player from the squad Wenger inherited when he arrived at Arsenal and the former defender is familiar with the way Wenger wants the game to be played. The 49 year old also commands the respect of his players and not one Arsenal youth player has a bad word to say about Bould.
If Wenger decides to promote Bould, he could bring Neil Banfield in as permanent reserve team manager after Banfield and Bould’s successful partnership. The pair have worked tirelessly to develop the academy and Wenger is impressed with the duo.
