MANAGERLESS Arsenal will talk with Carlo Ancelotti after Napoli sacked the manager on Tuesday night.
Ancelotti, 60, had a fallen out with Napoli’s controversial president Aurelio Di Laurentiis.
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Napoli qualified for the last-16 of the Champions League following a 4-0 win over Genk.
But the club made the announcement on their social media channels.
A statement read: “Napoli has decided to revoke the role of first team coach from Mr Carlo Ancelotti.
“The rapport of friendship, admiration and reciprocal respect between the club, its president Aurelio De Laurentiis and Carlo Ancelotti remain intact.”
Gennaro Gattuso is expected to take over at the club on Wednesday.
Arsenal are eager to speak with the experienced Italian about the possibility of taking over at the Emirates.
The Gunners’ four-man recruitment team have started whittling down a hit-list of more than 12 managerial candidates to succeed Unai Emery.
It is understood that they have already held informal talks with Valencia coach Marcelino, former Porto boss Vitor Pereira and Bordeaux’s Paulo Sousa.
None of those are expected to make the final cut but Ancelotti is regarded as a serious contender after winning the double with Chelsea in 2010 and the Champions League with Real Madrid four years later.
The laid-back Italian speaks good English and ticks all the right boxes for Arsenal.
Invincibles captain Patrick Vieira, currently boss of Nice, is also in the frame along with Manchester City coach Mikel Arteta and former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.
Interim boss Freddie Ljungberg is also under consideration but is not thought to be a serious contender to land the job on a permanent basis.
Technical director Edu is leading the Arsenal search along with head of football Raul Sanllehi.
They will be tasked with identifying the qualities expected of the club’s new coach before managing director Vinai Venketesham and contract negotiator Huss Fahmy speak to the candidates about financial considerations.
Once the club have spoken to all their managerial candidates, they will recommend a three-man shortlist to owner Stan Kroenke and his son Josh to make the final call.
Monday night’s 3-1 win at West Ham has lifted some of the pressure to get a new boss in place immediately but the club would still like to make an appointment sooner rather than later.
