International Gunners: DefendersPatrick Vieira will this week make his home debut as Senegal manager.He’s the latest Gunner to take a job in international football.During the international break, I will be looking at some of the other Arsenal players who played in the Premiership and went on to take a national team job.Let’s start with the defenders…From Arsenal Defenders to International ManagersSylvinho – Albania ManagerThe only Gunner to manage at the Euros, the Brazilian was awarded the Golden Decoration of the Eagle.The Albanian government usually hands over the award to those involved in the military or a civilian who commits an act of bravery.Their national football manager was honoured not just for what he did on the pitch, but also for how he embraced his adopted country off the field.He lived in Tirana and insisted his staff do the same.He’s credited for using a detailed database to scout talent from around the world who qualified to represent Albania.Oleh Luzhnyi – Ukraine Under-19sAfter working domestically in Ukraine, their former captain took a break from the sport to volunteer to help his nation’s military deal with the invasion of Russia.He’s now in charge of helping his country’s Under-19s qualify for the Euros, a campaign that starts this week.He’s being earmarked as the future Ukrainian boss of the senior side.Igor Stepanovs – Latvia Under-17sWhile remembered as one of the worst CBs to play for the Gunners in the Premiership, the 50-year-old is considered a legend back in Latvia.With 100 caps, he was part of the only Latvian team to qualify for a major tournament.For seven years, he worked with his nation’s Under-17s, gaining a reputation for being a great teacher for youngsters.Ashley Cole – England Under-21s Assistant ManagerWhile the 45-year-old may never publicly admit this, it might be his reputation off the pitch which is why he hasn’t been given the managerial opportunities other members of the English Golden Generation have enjoyed.Whereas Lampard and Rooney were handed their first managerial jobs in the Championship and Rangers were happy to give Gerrard his first job, the Invincible had to go to the second division of Italy to find work. That lasted eight games!He mistakenly thought being on the coaching staff the last two times the Under-21 Three Lions lifted the Euros would enhance his status.Now unemployed, don’t be shocked if he’s hired by the FA again in the future.(Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)Giovanni van Bronckhorst – Netherlands Under-21sBefore lifting trophies in three different countries as a manager, the 51-year-old’s first coaching experience was with the Dutch Under-21s.The Netherlands (as well as their clubs) are one of the best at looking after their own, so the KNVB hired the left-back as soon as he retired as a player.He only lost one of his seven games in charge before returning to where he began his career, Feyenoord.He’s currently in his second spell managing them.Invincibles and Other Gunners on the International StageSol Campbell – Trinidad and Tobago Assistant ManagerTo this day, the 52-year-old maintains it’s due to the colour of his skin that he had to go all the way to Trinidad and Tobago to be given a first opportunity at coaching.Even that was only due to Dennis Lawrence having met the Invincible at a UEFA course.The former defender didn’t become the country’s assistant manager until the back end of their qualification campaign, but said he learned so much trying to teach talent without the resources he was used to as a player.It proved to owners how serious and committed he was to this next stage of his career.Kolo Touré – Assistant Coach for Ivory Coast Senior and Olympic TeamsAs part of their golden generation, the Ivory Coast hired their ex-captain the moment he retired.They wanted him to assist the senior manager as well as be assistant coach for the Under-23s to help them qualify for the Olympics.Mostly though, as someone who had lifted AFCON, they wanted him to help the transition between younger players joining the squad.This was short-lived because, while originally trying to balance two jobs, he chose to focus on his coaching career back in the UK.You assume the door is open for both parties to work together again?Having followed Brendan Rodgers to Celtic and Leicester, the Ivorian’s only attempt at management was failing to win any of his nine games at Wigan.Despite the Invincible being adamant that he hasn’t lost the ambition to manage, he returned to Man City to be part of Pep Guardiola’s staff.Johan Djourou – Technical Director and Sports CoordinatorThe 39-year-old has taken on the huge responsibility of helping women’s football grow in Switzerland.His official title is technical director and sports coordinator. The role is to develop female players and coaches in the country and ensure they are getting quality training, travel, medical care, accommodation, etc.He helped his country prepare to host Euro 2025, and it’s his responsibility to take the legacy from that tournament and make it last.Female participation and the numbers who watch and attend games are at an all-time high for his nation, but the Gunner recognises there is still room to grow.Gaël Clichy – France Under-21 and Olympic Assistant ManagerThierry Henry picked his former teammate to help him lead France at their home Olympics.While one Invincible left directly after celebrating a silver medal, the other stayed working with the French youngsters for another year as assistant manager.The 41-year-old resigned in 2025, wanting to now be the main man in the dugout.He works for SM Caen in Ligue 3.Thomas Vermaelen – Belgium Assistant Manager and Under-20s ManagerOur one-time captain first played for and then helped coach Belgium’s golden generation.Since retiring as a player, he’s been kept in his national setup.The 40-year-old was on the bench at the 2022 World Cup as assistant manager, but once Martinez left, he was asked to look after the Under-20s.Shkodran Mustafi – Germany Under-21 Assistant ManagerGermany is another country that looks after their own in the sport, so as soon as he retired, Mustafi was invited into their youth system to work with the youngsters.He’s quickly worked his way up to Under-21 assistant manager.A crucial role, with Jürgen Klopp immediately wanting to give opportunities to a new generation of talent.His former teammate Per Mertesacker will start work with the DFB in January 2027.Arsenal’s former invincibles have found very different paths after hanging up their boots.Dan SmithWhich former Arsenal defender do you think has made the biggest impact in international coaching, and who would you most like to see managing a national side in the future?Join the conversation in the comments below._____________________________________________________________________________________________ADMIN COMMENTSo here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. 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