Everton and Arsenal should have had incredible 2019 manager swap – Keith Wyness
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness wishes Carlo Ancelotti was appointed as the Arsenal manager instead of Mikel Arteta back in 2019.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – admitted he was hoping Arteta would become the Everton manager instead of returning to the Emirates.
Ancelotti was appointed as the Toffees boss before leaving the club for Real Madrid in 2021, where he would go on to win the Champions League in 2022.
Arteta has been widely praised for the job he’s done in helping the Gunners return to the higher echelons of the Premier League, with his side currently sitting one point above Manchester City at the top of the table.
Mikel Arteta should have joined Everton instead of becoming Arsenal manager
Wyness revealed he always had the Spaniard earmarked to be a potential manager one day after seeing the way he carried himself during his time at Everton.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “He was always a very bright, balanced guy, very mature.
“He looked at things properly and was a true professional, but he was also interested in the other aspects beyond football in terms of the executive levels.
“He’s a very personable guy and is always enquiring. He has a great way about him.
“He was one I would have marked out of that squad that would have gone into management and he has done.
“My wish would have been that he would have come and managed Everton.
“I think when Carlo Ancelotti came to Everton, he should have gone to Arsenal instead, so we should have swapped managers.
“It didn’t happen, but I’ve got a great respect for Mikel, along with a few other players who I think are going to go on and do well from that particular era.”
In other news, Man City and Arsenal race to sign £100million star.
For more Arsenal and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.