Leaves as Arsenal Manager at Season’s End
rsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed he will step down from his role at the end of the season.
Wenger, 68, will leave a year before his existing contract was due to expire having led the club to three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups during a 22-year reign.
Appointed on 1 October 1996, the Frenchman is the Premier League's current longest-serving manager and has taken charge of a record 823 games.
In a statement to the club's website, he said: "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.
"I am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years.
"I managed the club with full commitment and integrity.
"I want to thank the staff, the players, the Directors and the fans who make this club so special.
"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 forever." Wenger himself said on Thursday that former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira "has the potential" to succeed him as manager.
The club's majority owner Stan Kroenke asked Arsenal fans around the world to pay an appropriate tribute to the Frenchman who transformed the identity of the club.
#MerciArsène pic.twitter. com/7wqOwveCfz — Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 20, 2018 He told Arsenal's website: "This is one of the most difficult days we have ever had in all our years in sport. One of the main reasons we got involved with Arsenal was because of what Arsène has brought to the club on and off the pitch. His longevity and consistency over such a sustained period at the highest level of the game will never be matched.
"Arsène has unparalleled class and we will always be grateful to him. Everyone who loves Arsenal and everyone who loves football owes him a debt of gratitude.
Arsene Wenger built the best teams that I played against in English Football .The 98 team was Amazing.The biggest compliment is that he played football that made us change the way we played against them. He now deserves the most incredible send off from all in the coming weeks. season, but he urged his players to play for the fans regardless of his own position at the club.
"I was a player, and the players must play every game, and not for me, but for the club, and for the fans," Conte said.
"They must have great respect for this badge, they don't have to play for the coach."
Meanwhile, Pochettino does not believe playing at Wembley will give his side an advantage in Saturday's blockbuster FA Cup semifinal against Manchester United.
Spurs, playing at Wembley this season while their new stadium is being built, will be on familiar turf, although using the away dressing room, but Pochettino insists it will be a level playing field against Jose Mourinho's side.
"Of course, we feel at home," the Argentine said at his pre-match press conference on Thursday. "But it's different to when we play in the Premier League.
"I don't believe (we will have an advantage) because Manchester United have the experience to play at Wembley too. It's not an event just for us.
"I think it will be a typical cup game at Wembley – half Tottenham and half Manchester United. I don't believe we are going to have some advantage for that."
The Spurs boss does not believe winning the FA Cup would change the club, even though their trophy cabinet has been empty for a decade.
"It's fantastic if Southampton, Chelsea, Manchester United or Tottenham will win the FA Cup," he said. "Is it going to change our life? I don't believe, I don't believe. Who needs it more? I don't know.
"We are going to try and fight to win, but it is not about need or not need, it's about a title that would be fantastic to finish the season, play in the final and win the trophy.
"At the end it would be fantastic to finish the season with a trophy. I don't think it's about need or not need."
The other semifinal, on Sunday, sees Chelsea take on relegation-threatened Southampton. Man Utd Chelsea