Arsenal too big for Eddie Howe, says Ray Parlour
Sunday 11 September 2016 14:50, UK
Arsenal is too big a club for Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe to take on at this stage of his managerial career, according to Ray Parlour.
Howe guided Bournemouth into the Premier League for the first time in their history last season, with the Cherries going on to record a 16th-place finish.
However, after Howe recently persuaded Gunners midfielder Jack Wilshere to move to the Vitality Stadium on a season-long loan, speculation has been rife that the 38-year-old maybe the man to replace Arsene Wenger at the Emirates when the Frenchman finally decides to leave.
Parlour, though, believes Howe still needs to gain more top-level coaching experience before taking on a role of that size.
"He has certainly done a great job [at Bournemouth], but I just think it maybe a little bit too big for him at this time of his career," the former Arsenal midfielder told Goals on Sunday.
"I think he has to go to the next level after Bournemouth, maybe like an Everton, or someone like that who is going to be challenging for the top six.
"And then maybe move to the top four level, but Eddie has done nothing wrong and he is learning the game still and about players and systems and the way to play."
One name Parlour - who played for Arsenal for 12 years - feels could succeed Wenger in north London is Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone.
Parlour said: "Certainly in a few years' time, maybe he [Howe] will be a good fit, but at this current time maybe a [Diego] Simeone might be more suited to Arsenal when Arsene Wenger does call it a day."
