Arsenal have sacked U23s coach Steve Bould, as reported by The Athletic.
Bould departs after two seasons in charge of the second string, the most recent of which saw them flirt with relegation for much of the campaign, with safety only being secured on the final day.
There is no doubt that Bould cares deeply about Arsenal and also about youth football – he first returned to the club in 2001, and he initially coached the club’s schoolboys before eventually being appointed as U18 manager.
Much of the work that he did with the U18s was of a high standard – he oversaw FA Youth Cup glory in 2009 (a feat that hasn’t been repeated by Arsenal since) as well as two league titles, although there were some difficult moments in the 2010/11 season.
Bould was eventually promoted to the senior coaching staff in 2012 but then returned to youth football in 2019 following a job swap with Freddie Ljungberg.
While Ljungberg had earned much praise for his time as U23 coach, Bould found it difficult to make a similar impact and the side finished in sixth place in his first season in charge.
Then came this season, which was something of a disaster in terms of results – six wins, eight draws and ten defeats from 24 league games.
Yes there were mitigating circumstances, with many of the older players in the U23s being loaned out and some of those brought in – the likes of Jonathan Dinzeyi and Tim Akinola – not being of a particularly high standard.
However, Bould certainly made mistakes. Arsenal’s football was far too rigid at times and they often appeared vulnerable defensively.
Some of the tactical selections were bewildering. Against Blackburn Rovers, for instance, Arsenal fielded a midfield of Miguel Azeez, Kido Taylor-Hart and Reiss Nelson, with Nikolaj Moller on the right wing, Eddie Nketiah up front and Folarin Balogun on the left flank. The system certainly didn’t work, with Arsenal losing 3-0 and being overrun in midfield. Perhaps Bould was forced to play certain players, but he often found it difficult to get them performing cohesively.
Apart from odd occasions – the 6-0 win away to Blackburn for instance – Arsenal’s attacking movements have often felt rather restricted under Bould.
There have been some individual success stories. Kido Taylor-Hart, for example, has stepped up to the U23s this season and made a significant impact at that level, while Folarin Balogun was trusted with the responsibility of being captain and proceeded to develop his all-round game.
Bould is also a disciplinarian. The way in which he reprimanded one player for an off the field incident earlier this season deserves credit as it demonstrated that such mistakes should not be allowed to happen.
The reality is, though, that Arsenal needed to make a change in terms of their U23 coach. The current crop of U18s, the likes of Charlie Patino, Omari Hutchinson, Marcelo Flores, Brooke Norton-Cuffy and many more, have already received fleeting experience of U23 football and are set to be more heavily involved at that level next season.
In order to get the best of them they need a coach who prioritises the free-flowing football that this group of players is capable of producing. Academy manager Per Mertesacker has had to be ruthless, but he has made the correct call. Attention will now turn to the search for Bould’s successor, but that is a debate for another day. If Arsenal are looking to make an internal appointment, though, then Dan Micciche, the current coach of the U15s who was previously part of the England setup and has experience of coaching at senior level, could be an option. Ryan Garry, who has been assistant coach for the U23s in recent years, could also be considered.
As far as Bould is concerned, nothing will ever take away what he achieved at Arsenal as a player or in his first stint as a youth coach, when he worked with players such as Jack Wilshere, Francis Coquelin, Hector Bellerin, Cesc Fabregas and Serge Gnabry amongst many others.
Based on performances and results this season, though, it was the correct time to sack him. Arsenal have a group of players moving into the U23s who are one of the most exciting crops for several years. They need a modern coach who is capable of getting the best out of them and giving them every chance of making it into the first-team.
Top Arsenal U23 appearances under Bould
Folarin Balogun – 36 games, 20 goals
Ben Cottrell – 33 games, 5 goals
Tim Akinola – 26 games
Tolaji Bola – 25 games
Trae Coyle – 23 games, 3 goals
Jeorge Bird's Arsenal Youth 
So based on results etc Arteta should also go as well as the senior team results and performances have been atrocious this season , Arteta have fucked up at least 10 games this season and cost us victory with his negative tactics
Obviously, Jorge, you see more of the under 23’s than me. I have not seem em for a long time, and then only when at Borehamwood. I had the impression Ryan Garry was running the team wuth Steve Bould sitting back.
This is the first good news for quite some time.
I never had any doubt about Bould’s commitment and care for Arsenal, but his tactical awareness, team selection and game management skills were simply found wanting. Which might not be an issue at U15 level, but could – and actually have – been decisive factors at this age.
Contrary to popular misbeliefs, even with the the huge loan contingent of experienced players Arsenal had a skeletal, yet incredibly talented core team that should have been competing for the top spots of the table. While there are many strong academies there, I just don’t see a
Hein – Lopez-Dinzeyi-Rekik-Alebiosu – Akinola-Azeez-Cottrell-Cirjan – Möller-Balogun (4-4-2, midfield diamond) or an
Okonkwo – Lopez-Kirk Monlouis-BNC – Azeez-Patino – KTH-Flores-Hutchinson – Möller/Balogun (4-2-3-1, first team “clone”)
line-up being the underdog in any home or away fixture.
Finally Arsenal showed that loyalty to the core values AND the players are more important than loyalty to a single individual.
Since – besides future loans – the U23 will only lose Balogun, Bould’s successor will have a more mature, more experienced team that (after serious trimming and loaning) should be fighting for PL2 silverware.
I would send Gillard the same way as Bould.
Promote Garry to u23 boss, with Lincoln his assistant then promote macciche to u18s.
I would only keep Gillard of the 4 major coaches.
While we couldn’t replicate the success of last seasons the league 4th place is not that bad, and the FA Youth Cup quarter-final is nothing to be ashamed of either (albeit with Hutchinson fit I secretly hope to win the cup). Considering the U23 team often sucked his best performing players I cannot blame him for the results.
Nevertheless Bould has been sacked, and Montemurro is also leaving (the explanations vary from him preferring to spend more time with his family to Lyon or Juventus want to sign him). While he is a great guy and made some respectable results in the past the fortunate (!) 3rd place (!!) this season is a huge disappointment with such a strong squad that won the title only 2 years back, as well as losing almost all games against peer opponents. With a coach who has some tactical skills Arsenal Women should win domestic double and play final in Europe.
Now we need good coaches for the Women team and the U23s, and preferably a great one for the first team, but I’m well aware that it is a minority and unpopular opinion.
A shame such a long serving staff had to go but it is a result business and he hasn’t performed. Simples.