Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is on the hunt for another coach to add to his setup, following some changes over the summer.
It comes as Carlos Cuesta has left Arsenal to join Parma as their new head coach, breaking the record for the youngest manager in Serie A history.
While the Gunners will be proud of the pathway they have provided, Mikel Arteta must now look to add a new member to his team as a replacement.
The Arsenal coaching staff could bring in several options, whether that’s someone who is fresh to coaching or experienced, or even an ex-player.
With that in mind, there has been a missed opportunity to land a former Arsenal man for the role who would’ve been perfect.
Arsenal missed the opportunity to offer Jorginho a player-coach contract
With Arsenal now on the hunt to find someone to add to their backroom team, many different candidates will be assessed.
Among them could be some former players, as Santi Cazorla has been tipped to return to Arsenal in a coaching capacity.
Jack Wilshere is also available, though he appears to be firmly focused on taking opportunities as a head coach.
Thinking along those lines, there was a clear missed opportunity for Arsenal to keep Jorginho in the team and on the coaching staff.
Jorginho left Arsenal as a free agent to join Flamengo, after it became clear that his future would lie away from the Emirates Stadium.
However, with Thomas Partey nearing a potential exit, it’s clear that the Gunners need another midfield option now.
Combine that with their need for a coach, and it’s a role that Jorginho could’ve played perfectly.
The Italian international essentially played the role of a coach through the back end of last season, joining up with the squad away at PSG purely to coach from the sidelines, despite being injured.
Having worked with the squad for a few seasons, he would know what is needed inside out, while gaining the education needed to progress into coaching full-time.
Unfortunately for Arsenal, that opportunity has been missed, and now they have to continue looking at new options.
Arteta must now correct it by landing the right person, whether that is an ex-player or not.
Jorginho’s path may cross with Arsenal again in the future, but it could be in coaching.
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Jorginho’s next steps after his footballing career
As Jorginho winds down towards the end of his professional playing career, attention turns towards the future.
The former Arsenal man signed a contract with Flamengo until 2028, so there is still plenty of time to continue playing.
However, it’s clear that his career will transition into coaching at some point.
“I was thinking about staying in football, but not as a coach, because of the commitment basically, and the time. So I was set in my mind – no! I thought I would become a scout or an agent – something that helped young players get an opportunity,” he told the Arsenal website last season.
“But then I came to Arsenal and they said, ‘Do you want to do your badges?’ I was like, I’m not sure, but why not. Could be worth having in the pocket one day.
“Then I did my first session – that was my mistake – because I loved it! That moment changed my mind, and now maybe it will happen.
“I did the B Licence, working at Hale End, and now I’m going to do the A Licence, definitely. I didn’t go looking for it, it just happened, and sometimes that’s what life is, and maybe it was meant to be.
“I loved being on the pitch coaching, seeing the players, trying to see them play the way I was asking them. The tactics side of it and everything, it drives me mad!”
It shows exactly where his career is set to go, but when that could happen is unclear, with a few years still left in his tank.
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