Unai Emery SACKED after disastrous Arsenal reign with Ljungberg appointed interim manager
UNAI EMERY has been sacked as manager of Arsenal with Freddie Ljungberg appointed interim head coach.
The Spaniard oversaw a disastrous run of form that saw his side go seven games without a win for the first time since 1992.
A string of poor results and unrest in the dressing room among the club's top players was finally enough for the hierarchy to swing the axe.
A club statement read: "The decision has been taken due to results and performances not being at the level required.
"We have asked Freddie Ljungberg to take responsibility for the first team as interim head coach. We have full confidence in Freddie to take us forward.
"The search for a new head coach is underway and we will make a further announcement when that process is complete."
Gunners director Josh Kroenke added: “Our most sincere thanks go to Unai and his colleagues who were unrelenting in their efforts to get the club back to competing at the level we all expect and demand.
"We wish Unai and his team nothing but future success.”
Emery was put out of his misery by head of football Raul Sanllehi at the club’s London Colney training ground this morning.
He turned up as usual at nine o'clock before being ushered into a meeting with Sanllehi, technical director Edu and managing director Vinai Venkatesham.
Emery, 48, was thanked for his services during his 18-month reign at the Emirates and informed that his Spanish coaching team would also be leaving with him.
An hour later, the news was then relayed to all the players and entire backroom staff at a specially convened meeting which was also attended by Sanllehi, Edu, Venkatesham, contract negotiator Huss Fahmy and Ljungberg.
Emery did not address the group as a whole but was allowed to say his individual farewells before clearing his office and leaving the club for the last time.
The decision has been taken due to results and performances not being at the level required.
It has cost the club around £4million to sack Emery despite his contract expiring at the end of the season.
Emery was appointed in the summer of 2018 following the departure of Arsene Wenger on the back of his success at Sevilla and Paris Saint-Germain.
In Spain he led his side to three straight Europa League titles while also winning three major trophies in Paris.
He guided Arsenal to fifth in his debut campaign, one point adrift of Spurs, before losing 4-1 to Chelsea in the Europa League final.
His side also went 22 games unbeaten combined with a run of 11 straight wins.
But the wheels well and truly came off this season.
Club-record £72million signing Nicolas Pepe has struggled to hit the ground running while Arsenal's leaky defence remained a huge cause for concern.
A shocking home defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League was the final straw for both supporters and pundits.
Fans held up 'Emery Out' posters as thousands opted against attending the match and instead protested on their feet by staying at home.
After the contest club favourite Martin Keown begged the board to show him the door.
He said: "This is relegation form. Do the club really realise how tricky this is now going to be?
“Decisions have got to be made.
“The football people at the top of the club, make the decisions that need to be made otherwise Arsenal are going to plunder further down the trouble.”
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Ljungberg will take charge of first-team affairs for the trip to Norwich on Sunday while the board draw up a list of potential long-term targets.
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo remains favourite to take the role with Mikel Arteta also in the running.
It is reported that senior figures at the club wanted Jose Mourinho before Tottenham snapped him up less than 24 hours after sacking Mauricio Pochettino.
Sky Sports claim that contact has been made with Max Allegri while the club could make a stunning approach for ex-Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino.