Football’s longest-serving boss quits after 22 years
AFTER a record 22 years in charge, Arsene Wenger has quit as Arsenal manager.
In a surprise announcement yesterday, the 68-year-old Frenchman – the longest-serving manager in any of the top four professional football leagues in England – said he will step down at the end of the season.
Wenger arrived at the North London club in 1996 as a virtual unknown in the sport, but delivered some of the best football the early Premier League had seen as he led Arsenal to three titles.
The unbeaten ‘Invincibles’ season of 2003-04 was the highlight for Gunners fans, but that was to be the last of Wenger’s titles.
Arsenal were caught and surpassed by the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City, with the newly crowned champions a massive 33 points clear of Arsenal at the time of Wenger’s announcement.
The Frenchman’s position has come under intense scrutiny over the past 18 months because of repeated failings in the Premier League and Champions League.
He has lifted the FA Cup in three of the past four seasons but that has not been enough to appease some fans. ‘After careful consideration and following discussions with the club, I feel it is the right time for me to step down at the end of the season,’ Wenger said yesterday.
‘I am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years. I urge our fans to stand behind the team to finish on a high. To all the Arsenal lovers, take care of the values of the club. My love and support for ever.’
The club’s majority shareholder Stan Kroenke paid tribute to the outgoing boss, saying: ‘This is one of the most difficult days we have ever had in all our years in sport.’