Arsenal and Freddie Ljungberg: Beware the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer effect

Freddie Ljungberg will take over from Unai Emery as Arsenal head coach this season. As Manchester United have wonderfully illustrated, the Gunners beware the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer effect.

After head coach Unai Emery was fired on Friday morning, former assistant Freddie Ljungberg will take over the Arsenal reins as caretaker manager.

Find the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast here — Emergency: Unai Emery sacked

Ljungberg has managed one team in his career, the Arsenal under-23s, which he led excellently last season. He may have his UEFA Pro license, but his coaching pedigree is novice; he may understand the club innately and have a positive relationship with the players, but does he have the tactical acumen to lead the first team forwards?

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However, in the short term, Ljungberg is unquestionably the right man for the job. No one else could step into the head coach role two days before a Premier League match, run a training session, and select a team. Emery’s assistants have departed with him, while Per Mertesacker and Steve Bould are committed to youth development, not the senior team. It was Ljungberg or bust.

But when it comes to finding a viable, long-term successor for Emery, it is most certainly not Ljungberg or bust. Arsenal have options, from Premier League managers like Eddie Howe and Nuno Espirito Santo to former players like Mikel Arteta and Patrick Vieira and European superstars like Massimiliano Allegri and Carlo Ancelotti.

They also have time to make the right decision. With the top four almost out of reach already and Ljungberg likely capable of leading the team to Europa League qualification, there is not an immediate rush to find a manager. It is better to make the right appointment slowly than the wrong one quickly.

Last season, Manchester United found themselves in a similar position to what Arsenal do now. A hopeless head coach, the insatiable need to move on, and a club legend with little coaching acumen and pedigree taking over in a caretaker manner. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer arrived to relieve Jose Mourinho of his duties midway through last season and immediately enjoyed a boost in performance. Man. Utd, it was said, were back to being Man. Utd.

The victories, though, while impressive, were belied in two ways: the first is the opposition. They came against easy opponents — this was part of the decision to appoint Solskjaer at that specific stage of the season. The second is more pertinent. They were undeserved. The underlying statistics stated that Man. Utd were playing poorly and getting lucky. Eventually, their luck would run out.

Unfortunately for United, they dived headfirst into the Solskjaer experiment before the luck ran out. They agreed to a long-term deal with their legendary player, obviously bowled over his playing pedigree more than his coaching record, and immediately saw their results tank. Ever since, fans have bemoaned the decision, Solskjaer on the brink of being fired less than a year later.

This tale is a cautionary one for Arsenal. Ljungberg is an infectious character with lots of support. It will be easy to fall for his charm, should he succeed. But the Gunners must take their time as they decide their future. Appointing a head coach is a massive decision. Making a rash one like United would be a mistake. They would be wise, then, to heed the warnings.