How main candidates for Arsenal job are shaping up

Former Arsenal striker Ellen White believes Nick Cushing is an "incredible candidate" for the Women's Super League club's managerial vacancy, while Jen Beattie says interim boss Renee Slegers "knows she is ready for it".

The Gunners are searching for Jonas Eidevall's replacement after he resigned in October.

New York City head coach Cushing emerged as an early candidate for the job but is overseeing play-off matches in the United States in November.

Slegers has led the Gunners since Eidevall's departure and will remain in charge until at least December.

BBC Sport takes a look at two of the contenders for the job.

Who is Nick Cushing?

Former Manchester City boss Cushing is no stranger to winning silverware in England.

He joined the club in 2008 and progressed through roles in the academy before becoming the senior team’s head coach in 2013.

He guided the club to their first and only WSL title in 2016 and won a further five trophies in his time at the helm.

In 2017 Cushing was shortlisted for the England women's job, but withdrew from the process before Phil Neville was handed the role.

He left City in February 2020 to take up the assistant manager's position at New York City, before becoming head coach in 2022.

He is currently overseeing the best-of-three MLS series play-offs against Cincinnati.

Both sides have won one match each and the winner of their 9 November tie will progress to the semi-finals, with the MLS Cup taking place on 7 December.

'An incredible candidate'

Former Arsenal defender Jen Beattie played under Cushing for four seasons at Manchester City.

She was part of the WSL-winning side in 2016 and won two FA Cups and two League Cups under him.

"I can't speak higher for Nick Cushing," Beattie told BBC Radio 5 Live's Women's Football Weekly podcast. "He is without a doubt one of the best coaches I have ever had.

"I absolutely loved my time at Man City and playing under him. When Nick left the WSL to go and coach in the MLS, I always thought he would be an unbelievable fit for Arsenal.

"He was intense when he needed to be and he was so fun when he didn't. He was really casual and approachable on a day-to-day basis. But when the focus needed to be there he was strict with it. He knew the level and the standard and he would never let the standard slip."

Ex-Gunners forward Ellen White also played under Cushing at City between May 2019 and January 2020.

She said: "His detail was phenomenal on the pitch and the technical aspect was incredible.

"Players who want to thrive, who want to develop, want to learn and want to do well will thrive under him. He wants to improve players but he wants to win things.

"He has got experience in the WSL, he has won things in the WSL so I think he is an incredible candidate for Arsenal and that brand of football that they want to play. I think he could bring that to Arsenal."

Who is Renee Slegers?

Slegers (second from left) spent time as a player at Arsenal's academy between 2006-2007, before returning to the club as a coach in 2023

Former Netherlands international Slegers, 35, joined Arsenal as Eidevall's assistant in September 2023.

The pair were reunited after working together at Swedish side Rosengard, before Slegers succeeded Eidevall at the club in June 2021, going on to lead them to back-to-back titles.

Before joining Rosengard, Slegers was in charge of Limhamn Bunkeflo and was subsequently hired as Sweden Under-23s head coach.

As a player, Slegers spent time in the Arsenal academy when she was 17, before returning to her native Netherlands to begin her senior career with Willem II.

She went on to play for Swedish sides Djurgardens and Linkopings, making 55 appearances for her country before a serious knee injury ended her career in 2018.

Playing 'the Arsenal way'

Slegers is unbeaten so far, winning two and drawing one of her games in interim charge of Arsenal.

She has not been vocal on her chances of taking the job on a permanent basis, but said 'I love doing it at the moment'.

White said Slegers has brought an identity back to Arsenal and can use her remaining games as a chance to impress.

"If she wants to put her name in the hat, this is an opportunity for her to impress as well," White said.

"I really liked the brand of football they were playing [in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United on Sunday].

"It felt like it was quite different and more the Arsenal way. They showed a lot of heart and desire."

Beattie played under Slegers when she was part of Eidevall's coaching staff.

"As a character she is super cool, calm and collected," Beattie said.

"She cares so much about the players and staff there, and the whole legacy that Jonas has built. She knows the job at hand and knows how big the task is."

"If she gets the job she is a great human being, she is a great coach. She was always so approachable, easy to talk to and just loved her football. She wants this big role next and knows she is ready for it."