Arsenal assistant linked with Elche managerial vacancy | OneFootball

Heinze only joined Arsenal last summer and is understood to have an offer to extend his stay, but Elche are weighing him up.

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Gabriel Heinze is among the names being considered by Elche as the Spanish club continue their search for a new manager following Eder Sarabia’s departure.

Owner, Christian Bragarnik is said to be working through the club’s options two weeks after the departure, with Xavi Garcia Pimienta having been one of the prominent names from the start of the process.

Two more names are now said to be liked at the Martinez Valero are Pablo Hernandez and Heinze.

Hernandez, 41, is head coach of Castellon, at least until June 30, after their promotion play-off campaign ended on Tuesday.

He is seen as a young coach with room to develop, and his work at Castellon has attracted attention because of the side’s attacking, dominant football in the Second Division.

He took charge at the start of the season and led his hometown club to the edge of promotion.

Hernandez’s contract expires in June and, although he is a shareholder at the club, has delayed any decision on a renewal.

Heinze, 48, represents a more experienced option.

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The Argentine had a long playing career, including spells at PSG, Manchester United and Real Madrid, before moving into coaching. He has managed Godoy Cruz, Argentinos Juniors, Velez Sarsfield, Atlanta United and Newell’s Old Boys, and has been part of Mikel Arteta’s Premier League-winning staff at Arsenal since July 2025.

He joined the club ahead of the 2025-26 season as a first-team coach and assistant, effectively replacing Carlos Cuesta after his move to become Parma head coach.

BBC Sport have described Heinze as a “big brother” figure for Arteta, with their relationship and tactical conversations seen as one of the quieter factors behind Arsenal’s title win.

That makes an exit feel unlikely after only one season, particularly given how successful that campaign was. Heinze is understood to have an offer to remain as part of Arteta’s staff, and Arsenal would have obvious reason to want continuity around a coaching group that has just delivered the title and reached the Champions League final.

The unknown is whether the chance to return to management would change his thinking. Elche are still assessing their options, and Heinze’s name now appears to be part of that process, but Arsenal will hope one of Arteta’s most trusted new voices remains in north London.

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