Mikel Arteta Eyes Dennis Bergkamp to Replace Freddie Ljungberg in Arsenal Backroom Staff
By Ali Rampling
Mikel Arteta is planning to add Arsenal great Dennis Bergkamp to his coaching staff following the departure of Freddie Ljungberg.
Ljungberg stepped down from his role as assistant coach at the Emirates on Saturday in order to pursue opportunities in management.
This has left a vacancy in Arteta's coaching staff, and according to the Sun, the Arsenal manager is eying up Bergkamp as a potential replacement.
Arteta had been considering asking former Gunners' teammate Santi Cazorla to step into the position following the expiration of his Villarreal contract, but these plans did not materialise after the Spaniard instead opted to extend his playing career by signing for Al Sadd.
Bergkamp is one of the finest players to ever pull on an Arsenal shirt. The silky Dutchman epitomised everything there was to love about Arsene Wenger's early Arsenal sides, oozing class and finesse.
The forward spent 11 years in north London, making over 300 appearances and winning six major trophies.
Bergkamp did not go straight into coaching following his retirement in 2006, turning down various scouting roles with Arsenal.
His first foray into the dugout came at his boyhood club Ajax, where he worked as an assistant for six years, before being dismissed in 2017.
The 51-year-old has not had a professional coaching role since, but has been volunteering with local Amsterdam side Almere City. However, he has been open about his interest in rejoining Arsenal in a coaching capacity.
Speaking to FourFourTwo in July, Bergkamp said: "When the time is right, I’d love to go back and get a role somewhere.
"At the moment we’re great in Holland. I’ve got a young family and have been out of coaching for a little while now. But I must admit, I have the urge to go on the pitch again and help, whether it’s with the technical or coaching staff.
"Of course it would be ideal at Arsenal – I spent 11 years there and have a good feeling with the club."