Wenger in power battle
PREM LEAGUE IVAN WANTS DIRECTOR
ARSENE WENGER is on a collision course with Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis over the running of the club.
Gazidis wants to make sweeping changes this summer which include hiring a director of football – and has already sounded out candidates for the role. But Wenger, whose future remains up in the air, insists he can’t change his ways and give up power over transfers to an outsider. The Frenchman, whose side face Southampton tonight, hinted he would resist the idea if he signs the two-year deal which remains on the table.
Wenger said: “Some coaches are only interested in managing the team, and they are happy with it. I am not like that and I cannot change now.
“I can change how I try to get better but I have 40 years of experience at the top, top level, you know. I have a good knowledge of the game.
“I don’t know what director of football means. Sorry, no.
“I’m the manager of Arsenal Football Club and as long as I’m manager of Arsenal Football Club, I will decide what happens on the technical front.”
Borussia Dortmund’s Michael Zorc and Marc Overmars at Ajax have both been sounded out about becoming director of football at Arsenal.
Wenger added: “Progression or regression? Changes can go both ways. Maybe the time will come where the football manager will not be a football specialist anymore and that we have enough computers around him to analyse the game.
“He pushes a button and out comes the team for the next game.
“The supporters will have a word to say to make a change at half-time on the internet. It might come.
“Who do you blame when it does not happen? When it does not work here, I am blamed. Then (with a director of football) I am blamed for decisions I have not made. It is tough enough to be blamed for decisions you have made.”