DRIVEN OUT
Wenger jumped before he was pushed at Emirates as he eyes PSG job and Gunners draw up shortlist
ARSENE WENGER feared he would be sacked – and decided to leave Arsenal on his own terms instead.
Wenger revealed yesterday that he is quitting this summer after receiving no assurances on his future beyond the end of the season. He believed the club wanted to change manager, so he took the heartbreaking decision to go. The Gunners boss is parting on good terms with the Arsenal hierarchy and they did it in the most amicable way
possible – but the 68-year-old Frenchman could see the writing on the wall. It came amid worries about fans staying away, while Arsenal have slipped further behind the title contenders. Even though they could win the Europa League, they are in danger of missing out again on the Champions League.
After weeks of discussions, the club and manager finally came to a mutual decision at board level on Thursday. Wenger will walk away with a year left on his £8million-a-year contract, but has told friends he has no plans to retire – with Paris SaintGermain a possible destination.
Arsenal will begin their own search for a new man, and chief executive Ivan Gazidis (above) will lean on head of recruitment Sven Mislintat and head of football relations Raul Sanllehi as they work through the process. Former Barcelona director of football Sanllehi is a big admirer of ex-Barca boss Luis Enrique, while Arsenal are also looking at Germany boss Joachim Loew, although he is under contract until 2020.
Juventus boss Max Allegri, Monaco’s Leonardo Jardim and Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers are all likely to be on the shortlist.
Former Arsenal players Patrick Vieira and Mikel Arteta are seen as younger alternatives, but they would also be big gambles at this stage of their careers.
Gazidis paid a glowing tribute to Wenger yesterday and also spelt out the credentials of potential successors, and the need to play attractive football. He said: “You don’t find a replacement for Arsene Wenger, you find a new path forward.
“It’s important to me that we continue the football values that Arsene has instilled in the club.
“When Arsene was appointed, he wasn’t on many people’s radar screens. We need to be bold and to get the right person.”