Hoffenheim confirm coach Julian Nagelsmann will stay despite Arsenal links

Munich, May 15: Julian Nagelsmann will "100 per cent" be in charge of Hoffenheim next season, the club insist, despite speculation linking the highly rated coach with Arsenal.

The 30-year-old is reportedly a front-runner to succeed Arsene Wenger after he was overlooked by Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, who opted for Niko Kovac of Eintracht Frankfurt to replace their own veteran coach, Jupp Heynckes.

Mikel Arteta and Nagelsmann are purported to be the two men at the front of the queue for the Emirates Stadium vacancy, but Hoffenheim believe their coach is going nowhere having led the club to a Champions League spot for the second season in a row.

The club's director of football Alexander Rosen rejected speculation Nagelsmann could be tempted to take over at Arsenal.

"Julian Nagelsmann will be our coach next season. 100 per cent," Rosen said to Sky in Germany of Naglesmann, nicknamed the 'Baby Mourinho'.

Former Gunners captain Patrick Vieira has been linked with the Arsenal vacancy, while outgoing Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery has not been contacted about the position.

Luis Enrique, on sabbatical since leaving Barcelona in 2017, is another of the names said to be in the frame, with Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri confirming his intention to stay with the Serie A champions.

Allegri, speaking after Juventus 0-0 draw with Roma, which sealed a seventh straight title for the Old Lady, said: "If they don't sack me, I'll stay at Juventus next year too."

The Italian has a year left on his contract and the Juventus club management, chairman Andrea Agnelli and Guiseppe Marotta, want him to extend his stay in Turin.

Arteta, a former Arsenal captain who has been working as Pep Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City since retiring two years ago, will likely be announced later this week. Guardiola has confirmed that he will not obstruct Arteta's move in any way.

Source: OPTA