Former MLS star Alejandro Moreno believes that the transition from assistant coach at Manchester City to manager at Arsenal could be problematic for Mikel Arteta.

The Spaniard has been tipped as one of the favourites to take over from Arsene Wenger at the Emirates Stadium in the summer.




The former Arsenal player currently works under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium after retiring from football in 2016.

Moreno, who also represented the Venezuela team from 2004 to 2012, is apprehensive about the appointment, insisting that there are a lot of obstacles to overcome in the entire process.
 


While the assistant manager, the 38-year-old feels, is the players' go to person for all matters, a manager has to take more responsibility with regards to the team and taking positions which might not go down too well with the players.  

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“Yeah, to some degree”, Moreno said on ESPN FC when asked if the lack of experience could be a negative for Arteta.

“There’s something to be said about leading a locker room. It’s a whole lot easier to be the assistant.

“Players can go to the assistant, he sort of serves as a bridge between the manager and the players.

"You’re sometimes the players’ buddy.

“Now you’re the guy making decisions, you’re the guy taking a stance.

“And at that point you’re not nearly as popular because the moment you leave players off the field, all of a sudden you’re not as likeable as you once were.

“So handling that transition is tricky and only the really good ones make it a successful transition.”

Arsenal would represent Arteta's first job in management, marking a big departure from the experience of Wenger.