Arteta puts his hat in the ring for future England job citing his strong personal feelings for the country.
Arteta has expressed his interest in being England’s manager in the future if the need arises.
The manager of Arsenal, who as a player considered moving from Spain to England while Fabio Capello was in charge, has admitted that he was not one of the ten candidates that the Football Association spoke with in order to choose Gareth Southgate’s replacement. Although Arteta acknowledged the notion that the England manager ought to be a native of the country, he rejected claims that Thomas Tuchel’s choice was a reflection of low coaching standards in this nation.
“I understand the opinions and the feelings,” said Arteta. “That’s the responsibility for the FA to say the first filter is only English managers or the filters are any manager from any country and we select the best for the moment that we’re in right now. I understand that it can feel sad for some people not to have an English manager. History tells you how important this could be as well.
“I think I would take a lot of pride as well at how many people would do anything to be the England manager. That’s related to how we’re treated in this country as foreigners, the passion, the respect, the history and the way that things are done in this country. I can say personally that when you are not from here. I think there are very few countries that could say that.”
Arteta never received a senior cap while playing for Spain at various youth levels. Before Fifa ruled it out, Capello had thought the midfield player would be eligible to be called up for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where he had lived for more than five years.
“I would have done it,” said Arteta. “feel very proud about it. I was very realistic, looking at the players Spain had at the time, and how big a challenge I had. You need to know your level, that is very important. Look in the mirror. In the end it didn’t happen. But it was good, at least to think about it.”