Mikel Arteta has suggested he would be open to managing England in the future, owing to this country feeling ‘like home’ to him.
The Arsenal manager, who was stopped by FIFA rules from switching allegiances as a player from Spain to England over a decade ago, welcomed the appointment of Thomas Tuchel.
The FA’s decision to hire the German has drawn a mixed reception, with some arguing that an English manager should have taken the role.
Eddie Howe, Sean Dyche and Gary O’Neil are currently the only English managers in the Premier League. Yet, Arteta does not think the choice of Tuchel is an indictment of this country’s coaching standards.
‘I understand the opinions and the feelings,’ he said, ahead of Arsenal’s match against Bournemouth on Saturday.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has suggested he would be open to one day managing England
Arteta welcome the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as England manager this week
The Football Association's decision to appoint a foreign manager has face some criticism
‘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.’
When asked if he would be open to managing England in the future, he replied: ‘I look English! I've been here so long.
‘I’ll tell you right now, the feeling I have for me this is like home. I've been here for 22 years.
‘I have that feeling towards it (this country) because I always feel respected, welcomed and inspired by this country and the history of football and how you get treated daily. I think that’s something you should be really proud of as a country.’
In his playing career, Arteta — who didn’t win a senior cap for Spain — had tried switching allegiances to England in 2010 during the Fabio Capello era. The pair had discussed the possibility and Arteta was keen on the move.
Arteta had discussed representing England after receiving British citizenship when at Everton
He spoke to then England boss Fabio Capello but was ultimately deemed ineligible
It is something the Spaniard still reflects on.
‘I was thinking about that the other day,’ he added.
‘I was actually talking to (sporting director) Edu about that at lunch. Yeah, I would have done it.
‘I 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. At the end it didn’t happen. But it was good, at least to think about it.
‘If you cannot do it, you cannot do it. I wasn’t prepared to fight against the world.’