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Wenger: When I arrived in England it was very difficult for foreign managers... that has all changed
ARSENE WENGER believes Pep Guardiola is getting an easy ride at Manchester City.
The Frenchman was a trailblazer 20 years ago when he arrived at Arsenal and became the first foreign boss to win the Premier League.
City boss Guardiola admits it is taking time to settle as he was expected to win the title, but could find himself nine points behind if leaders Chelsea win at Crystal Palace today.
But Wenger claims it is the British managers who now have it tougher and Spaniard Guardiola is lucky to be so readily accepted in English football.
The Gunners boss said: “I should get some newspapers from when I arrived here and you will see that it’s much easier today for the foreign managers.
“When I arrived it was difficult. Today it’s difficult for the English managers. That’s what has changed.
“Have I been surprised by the criticism of Guardiola? Yes and no. Yes, because his CV is impeccable and no, because that’s part of our game and modern life in our job.
“People really love football in this country and there’s a big passion for the game. I respect that hugely, but people also want their team to win.
“On top of that, people are impatient as well. Modern society is like that.”
In fairness, Arsenal did not have to wait long for Wenger to prove himself, winning the Double in his first full season in charge.
The same is expected of Guardiola but the ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has so far found it difficult to impose his ideas on English football.
His tactics and formations, as well as some surprise results – including the thumping defeat at Leicester last week – have raised serious question marks.
Wenger actually ditched wing-backs to return to a very English style 4-4-2, and he warned that sometimes you have to accept a resistance to change.
Guardiola is still struggling to find his best formation and the role of the full-backs has been one of the biggest problems.
Wenger said: “He has done extremely well and is one of the most respected managers in the game, if not the most, and maybe rightly so.
“He has strong beliefs and you want every manager who has a positive philosophy to succeed.
“People are always resistant to radical change but are also ready to cope with it, if it is successful.
“Our job is to always accept that you want your own philosophy but at the right pace. Sometimes you have to analyse what is going on and to bring in your own philosophy at a pace they can cope with.”
Arsenal lost at Everton in midweek and, just like City, cannot afford to fall further behind Chelsea at the Etihad.
Wenger added: “I want our fans to be happy and confident in our team, and the easist way to do that is not to have back-to-back defeats.
“It is a big game and you have to be positive before a big game.”