Arsenal have announced Wenger will leave the club at the end of the season. Here's a look at five potential replacements

Arsenal will be looking to make a quick appointment after Wenger's departure set for the end of the season. Credit: PA

As Arsene Wenger announces his impending departure from Arsenal after over two decades of service, ITV Sport take a look at five potential replacements for the Frenchman.

Thomas Tuchel, free agent

Thomas Tuchel had the burdensome task of taking over from the much-revered Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund after the German took a one-year sabbatical, eventually turning up at Liverpool just four months later.

Tuchel spent two years at Dortmund, following five at Mainz, and was widely admired by Premier League clubs for the job he did in his tenure at the Westfalenstadion.

The team played attractive football which the young coach implemented almost immediately and the club reached two cup finals, winning the second one, as well as being a constant threat to Bayern Munich’s supremacy in the Bundesliga.

Tuchel has been out of work since his sacking in 2017 and has been touted as the man to finally deliver the Champions League to PSG. That would mean the end for Unai Emery who ironically also has the prestige to become Arsenal boss.

Likeliness rating: 6/10

Patrick Vieira, New York City FC

Vieira has been plying his trade in the MLS but remains an Arsenal club legend. Credit: PA

Patrick Vieira is an Arsenal stalwart and despite his lack of managerial experience at the top level, it would seem he would be many die-hard Arsenal fan's choice due to his long-standing connection with the club.

The Frenchman won three Premier League titles and three FA Cups before heading off for pastures new in Italy at Juventus and Inter Milan. Vieira returned to England with Manchester City where he added another FA Cup to his list in 2011.

Vieira has risen quickly through the ranks in management starting off in charge of the development squad at City before taking the leap into senior management in 2016 taking the helm at New York City FC in the MLS.

Interestingly, there would be no need for a mass exodus of Arsenal coaching staff if Vieira so wished due to his close links with a number of current employees at the club including Steve Bould, Gerry Peyton, Neil Bandfield and Jens Lehmann.

Likeliness rating: 7/10

Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid

Diego Simeone has been consistently linked with a move to the Premier League. Credit: PA

Diego Simeone is the star man on this star-studded list of potential Arsene Wenger replacements and has many admirers in the Premier League, most notably Manchester United and Chelsea.

The success El Cholo has brought to Atletico has been nothing short of spectacular. The Argentine transformed the club from talented underachievers to perennial powerhouses in both Europe and La Liga, breaking the dominance of Barcelona and Real Madrid by winning the La Liga title in the 2013/14 season as well as finishing as Champions League runners-up twice in three years.

As a player, Simeone was tenacious, versatile, hard-working and combative. These qualities have been apparent in his managerial style with his team set up to soak up pressure and grind teams down.

Simeone has rebuffed many offers and speculation about his position at Atletico and if he did decide to leave Los Rojiblancos he wouldn't be short of opportunities. With yet more star players set to leave this summer, it is possible he will feel he has taken the Madrid club as far as he can.

Likeliness rating: 5/10

Rafa Benitez, Newcastle United

Benitez has managed several clubs in England including Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle. Credit: PA

Rafa Benitez has worked nothing short of miracles over at St James' Park this season guiding Newcastle away from the Premier League drop zone and into the top half of the table.

The Spaniard has delivered success wherever he has gone in England with a stunning Champions League win with Liverpool and Europa League victory in his short spell at Chelsea. He knows the league well and despite disastrous spells at Inter Milan and Real Madrid, Benitez has rebuilt his reputation as an astute manager at Newcastle.

Given the funds potentially at his disposal, Benitez could be the answer to Arsenal's problems where many fans have demanded the club be more competitive in the transfer market.

Benitez however, has a very specific style of play which revolves around a highly organised defensive unit with hard-working wingers and meticulous movement up front. This is not the type of free-flowing football the Emirates faithful have come to expect from their side and this could be a potential stumbling block.

Likeliness rating: 6/10

Joachim Low, German national team

Joachim Low has been the head coach of the German national team since 2006. Credit: PA

Joachim Low has delivered almost unprecedented success at international level with Germany. After a complete overhaul of grassroots football within the nation, Low set about building a dynasty which would eventually light up the world stage.

Fast-tracking talented young players with little or no international experience such as Mesut Ozil, Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller and throwing them in at the deep-end has paid dividends for Low and his country.

After a fairly low-key club coaching career across several different leagues, Low, now a hugely respected coach, has forged a career with the German national team which has meant they are now considered one of the strongest footballing nations on the planet.

The concern about Low will be the massive difference between club and international management and whether he can make that step seamlessly. Low has never managed in England and arguably has never proven he has the capacity to manage a football club rather than just work with the players he is given. Hard to argue with his outstanding tactical knowledge and football intelligence but for now, he remains an outsider.

Likeliness rating: 4/10