Villarreal goalkeeper Pepe Reina says he wants to take inspiration from Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta when he does his coaching badges.
The pair came through the academy together at Barcelona and, asked about his ambitions when he hangs up gloves, Reina says he is hoping to learn a lot from Arteta, who he feels could be one of “the greatest” managers in the world:
“You need to prepare yourself and be clever with who you choose as a mentor. Mikel is up there with my favourites. I will learn a lot if I can from his management abilities because he is going to be one of the greatest.”
It is high praise indeed from Reina. The former Liverpool and Aston Villa has worked under some really good coaches, including Rafa Benitez and Pep Guardiola, but he appears to see something special in Arteta.
Arsenal’s Progress Under Arteta Has Been Phenomenal
Considering that they missed out on the top four last season, the fact that the Gunners came within a hair’s breadth of winning the title just twelve months later is an incredible achievement.
Arteta is still a young coach at 41 years of age (just a year older than Reina in fact), and there is potential for him to become an even better manager in the future.