When Carlo Ancelotti’s sacking was confirmed, just three hours after Napoli waltzed into the Champions League last-16, the news came as no surprise to the man himself. For weeks, during a period of mutiny between a core of the squad’s senior players and owner Aurelio De Laurentiis, the end had felt inevitable so he began planning his next move.

First, when Mauricio Pochettino’s future at Tottenham came under scrutiny, intermediaries quietly pushed the Italian’s interest in a return to London. And by the time Spurs’ chairman, Daniel Levy, opted for Jose Mourinho as the Argentine’s successor, Ancelotti’s attraction to the role was far from a secret.

With Arsenal now, the situation is similar. Despite there being no official approach, The Independent understands Ancelotti’s intermediaries have been in regular contact with the club and were still speaking before the Italian’s departure from Napoli on Tuesday evening. Formal talks are able to begin now that the manager is a free agent as Arsenal’s executives prepare to interview their shortlist of available candidates.

Ancelotti is well-liked by senior figures at Arsenal, has long been on their shortlist, and his reputation is boosted by the fact he’s still held in high regard by many at Chelsea, where he won the double in 2009/10.

As is well publicised, Mikel Arteta and Patrick Vieira are believed to be the two names currently leading Arsenal’s search, with a former player who’d resonate with supporters considered favourable. In Arsenal’s current position, though, Ancelotti’s appeal as a three-time Champions League winner still carries weight. He is an experienced option and a trustable safeguard if Freddie Ljungberg is ultimately seen as unfit to carry the club until the end of the season – even if that mood was stemmed temporarily by Arsenal’s victory at West Ham on Monday evening.

The favourites to be next Arsenal manager Show all 16 1 /16 The favourites to be next Arsenal manager The favourites to be next Arsenal manager Who are the favourites to become next Arsenal manager?? Here are 15 candidates ranked who could replace former boss Unai Emery at the Emirates. Getty The favourites to be next Arsenal manager 15. Brendan Rodgers (Leicester City) The former Liverpool manager is flying with Leicester and, but a brand-new contract makes any move away now appear very unlikely. Getty Images The favourites to be next Arsenal manager 14. Ralf Rangnick The architect of much of Red Bull's footballing success, Rangnick has been subject to interest from a host of Europe's elite clubs, including Arsenal. With Manchester United also mooted to be interested, it remains to be seen whether he'd consider a move to north London an attractive proposition. Getty The favourites to be next Arsenal manager 13. Julian Nagelsmann (RB Leipzig) The 32-year-old is widely acknowledged as the best young manager in football and someone Arsenal could seek to build a long-term plan around. However, they are far from the only club interested in tempting the German away from Leipzig. Peter Kovalev/TASS The favourites to be next Arsenal manager 12. Nuno Espirito Santo (Wolves) The Wolves manager has had great success leading the side from the Championship to the Europa League. He's still relatively young in managerial terms and could also bring close ties with 'superagent' Jorge Mendes. Getty The favourites to be next Arsenal manager 11. Mauricio Pochettino (Free agent) The Argentine has publicly claimed he wouldn't manage Spurs' north London rivals. He'd also undoubtedly prefer a role at Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or PSG. However, he remains the clear betting favourite to replace Unai Emery and would surely be coveted by the Arsenal hierarchy - no matter how unlikely. The favourites to be next Arsenal manager 10. Marcelino Garcia Toral (Free agent) A free agent after being sacked by Valencia earlier this season Marcelino is considered another possible option from the continent. Getty Images The favourites to be next Arsenal manager 9. Paulo Sousa (Bordeaux) The former Swansea and Leicester manager would be a left-field choice, but has rehabilitated his reputation in France. AFP via Getty Images The favourites to be next Arsenal manager 8. Marcelo Gallardo (River Plate) Linked with Barcelona as the successor to Ernesto Valverde, Arsenal could nip ahead in the race for the Argentine after River Plate's defeat to Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores final. Getty The favourites to be next Arsenal manager 7. Rafael Benitez (Dalian Yifang) Although only recently moving to China after ending his reign at Newcastle, the proposition of taking over at Arsenal would likely be too hard for the Spaniard to refuse. He would bring endless experience to the role, however, his appointment would not be a long-term solution. Getty Images The favourites to be next Arsenal manager 6. Eddie Howe (Bournemouth) The Englishman has been considered by a host of top Premier League teams but usually as a second-choice. Could Arsenal be the ones to throw their weight behind him after such a successful spell at Bournemouth? Getty The favourites to be next Arsenal manager 5. Max Allegri (Free agent) The hugely successful former Juventus manager remains without a club after leaving the Italian champions in the summer after a disappointing Champions League run. He was included in Arsenal's shortlist to replace Arsene Wenger. AFP/Getty Images The favourites to be next Arsenal manager 4. Patrick Vieira (Nice) The former Arsenal captain has always been linked with a return to the club and would surely be interested in the role. The ball is instead with the Gunners' hierarchy to deem whether Vieira is ready after spells in New York and Nice. Getty The favourites to be next Arsenal manager 3. Freddie Ljungberg (Arsenal) If Unai Emery is dismissed, it's believed Ljungberg - his assistant - will at least be given a run of games to see whether he can carry the Gunners until the end of the season. If that spell turns out to be a success, there's no reason why Arsenal wouldn't continue with the well-liked Swede. Getty The favourites to be next Arsenal manager 2. Mikel Arteta (Manchester City assistant) Pep Guardiola's assistant came close to taking the job at Arsenal before Unai Emery's arrival. Whether he would be willing to depart the Premier League champions and a position as Guardiola's successor remains a doubt. However, after studying under the greatest manager in football today, the former Arsenal midfielder's potential is enormous and he's already garnered great respect from senior figures and players at City. PA The favourites to be next Arsenal manager 1. Carlo Ancelotti (Free agent) His sacking at Napoli has seen him become the favourite to take over at Arsenal. He was keen on the Tottenham job and, on a short-term basis, he could be seen as a safe pair of hands to guide Arsenal through a troubled period. AFP via Getty Images

Of course, other teams have also taken an immediate interest in Ancelotti’s availability. With a deal to take Vitor Pereira from Shanghai SIPG stalling and hesitancy at board level to reappoint David Moyes, hiring Ancelotti would be a spectacular coup for Everton. In an attempt to lure him, they can offer evidence of majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri’s aggressive investment strategy and a squad that boasts enormous potential.

Likewise, West Ham United will take notice as Manuel Pellegrini’s reign in east London continues to stretch into unwelcome territory. The club baulked at Rafael Benitez’s release clause, but they too are assessing their options.

That those two clubs would be interested in hiring Ancelotti is obvious. But to the manager, it would represent a major climbdown. Not since 1999 has the 60-year-old led a team seen as being outside of Europe’s ‘elite’ bracket. And with a sequence of positions becoming available in that same market at an alarming rate recently, there’s no reason for Ancelotti to rush into his next role.