Arsenal have stepped up the process of identifying a permanent replacement for the sacked Unai Emery by holding their first interviews with candidates for the role.

The club’s hierarchy have this week been in discussions with potential coaches, with the focus currently being placed on candidates who are out of work and who would be available to take control of the team during this season.

The search for a new manager will be led primarily by technical director Edu, who will be supported by head of football Raul Sanllehi, director of football operations Huss Fahmy and managing director Vinai Venkatesham.

Arsenal have cast their net wide in the hunt for a new head coach, who will have to be approved by each of the four executives before being offered the job. But there is also plenty of faith in interim head coach Freddie Ljungberg and it would be no surprise if the Swede was given until the end of the season to prove his own credentials.

The timing of Emery’s sacking, ahead of the busy festive schedule and with the team struggling for confidence, has made it far more difficult for the club’s executives to find an immediate replacement. Giving Ljungberg until the end of the season will therefore buy them more time to identify candidates who fit the club’s long-term project and their redeveloped structure.