Wenger may opt to join the boardroom suits
‘I have to turn the page and go for the next challenge’
ARSENE Wenger has given the clearest indication yet that he will seriously consider stepping away from frontline football management at the end of the season to take up the sort of executive role on offer at Paris St-Germain.
Although Wenger’s first instinct is to manage again – and he thinks some recent assessments of his work are tinged with “age discrimination” – he has also opened a door to the possibility of taking the general manager position in Paris alongside incoming head coach Thomas Tuchel.
“Maybe with a distance I will think, ‘No, maybe it’s a time to change a little bit direction’,” said Wenger.
“That’s what I have to decide. This has been a fantastic period for me, but I have to turn the page and go for the next challenge. For sure I will be active – my brain demands work. I like the English saying, ‘You have to live every day like it is your last’. “One day you will be right.” Wenger is adamant his friendship with PSG president Nasser bin Ghanim Al-Khelaifi, whom he has got to know through his work with beIN Sports, will not influence this next decision.
He has also already received a series of offers in management and, after beginning his career in that role some 34 years ago for Nancy, is still drawn to the idea of returning to the touchline.
“I don’t look very good on the beach,” said Wenger. “I like green grass. I like to work on it every day. I didn’t miss a training session in 22 years. I never stayed in my office. That is something that I will miss.
“I keep myself fit. We have staff games – I can still play. I would pick myself every week. People look at your age and make an issue of it. It becomes a bit discrimination. They don’t really look how you work and perform. They look, ‘Oh, he is old’.”
Wenger is clearly referring to the most recent period of his career when, until this season at least, his record against some of the younger and recently acclaimed managers such as Mauricio Pochettino and Jurgen Klopp was far more favourable than popular perception.
There is no prospect of him taking an upstairs role just now at Arsenal, although the club would ultimately be open to such an appointment.
The plan first is for the new manager to establish himself and Wenger hopes that some of his old coaching staff will remain.
“Of course people who come in also want their own staff, it’s about finding the right adjustment,” he said.
“I always tried to have a local person, who knows the culture, the habits, the tradition and makes sure you don’t make the mistakes.
“The earlier the better now. People want hope and to prepare as well next year. The squad doesn’t need much – it has huge potential and good spirit. Two or three additions and this team will compete for the championship next year.”
Ahead of tonight’s match against Leicester City, Wenger confirmed captain Laurent Koscielny has undergone surgery on his ruptured Achilles tendon. He will miss the World Cup and not return to training until December. Wenger is also certain Jack Wilshere will stay following an improved contract offer.
“I am convinced his future is here – it will happen,” he said. —