Arsenal legend Wenger confirms he wants management return

Robin Bairner

20 Jan 2022 03:20 CST
3 min read

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger — © ProShots

Legendary Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that part of him wants to return to club football.

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Wenger achieved iconic status at Highbury and the Emirates Stadium over a 22-year stint in charge of the club, during which he won three Premier League titles and the FA Cup on seven occasions. Additionally, he reached the final of the 2005 Champions League.

Wenger’s achievements have been immortalised in a statue outside of the Gunners’ home, with the Frenchman electing to stand down from his position in 2018.

He has since moved into a role in FIFA as Chief of Global Football Development, though he has admitted that he misses the cut-and-thrust of day-to-day life at a football club.

Speaking to Le Parisien, he was asked about the possibility of returning to club management.

He said: “I think about it all the time. You’re never completed cured. You’re addicted to it all our lives.”

Wenger, though, says that he does not see himself returning to the dugout.

“I don’t think it’ll happen. I hope I’ve got enough wisdom not to go back into it,” he said.

Wenger set for sporting director role

Despite these words from Wenger, he did indicate that he could take up a role such as one as a sporting director at a club.

“Living in elite-level sport, the quest for result and improvement still interests me. Even if it’s not directly on the pitch, being part of a squad that has to succeed interests me,” he explained.

“We can imagine anything. Getting results and guiding a club still interests me.”

Wenger oversaw 1,235 games in charge of Arsenal, posting 707 victories, which is a win percentage of 57.2. During his management career, he also had spells with Nancy and Monaco in Ligue 1, as well as Japanese outfit Nagoya Grampus Eight.