Arsene Wenger will manage next season.. but where?

After Arsenal’s hugely embarrassing 5-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, a result that has almost certainly sealed our European fate for yet another consecutive season, odds were slashed to suggest that Arsene Wenger would be leaving the club at the end of the season.

It’s a well known fact that a contract offer has been made to Wenger by the board of directors at Arsenal, but that the Frenchman has remained loyal to his policy that states he will not consider the offer until the end of the season. At that point Wenger will asses the season the team has had, the season he has had personally as a manager and whether or not he feels it is right to carry on managing at Arsenal. He’s been put to blame by the fans, but the board is still backing him and as it has been suggested by many reports before, it seems that they are quite happy to let Wenger himself decide when enough is enough.

This is not the mentality of a football club that is ambitious I’m afraid. Nobody desires Arsenal to become ruthless with their managerial selections, much like Chelsea or Real Madrid have been in the past. Nobody desires a football club that sees a manager sacked after a bad run of games, but to let a manager who is clearly in decline, remain at the club for as long as he wants, is simply not the right mentality to have for a club of supposed ambition.

Wenger remains coy on exactly what he plans to do next season, but he has made it abundantly clear that he is not looking to retire from professional management just yet. Wenger said:

“No matter what happens, I will manage next season, whether it’s here or somewhere else I am not sure”

I don’t think he knows exactly what is to come of his managerial career at this current stage, because although the board may have laid down the offer, I think he’s a strong enough character to recognise when he’s no longer wanted by the majority – Ie. The fans. Even after such a poor Champions League fixture, a competition in which will prove we have hit the next stage of our ambition, I think he’s still at a point in which he believes his future remains at Arsenal; even if it’s only for one or two more years.

In regards to whether the Frenchman would manage somewhere else; after 20 years at Arsenal, you really cannot imagine Wenger elsewhere and I would personally be shocked if he was to take a job after Arsenal. I always thought he’d retire after Arsenal, but if he is perhaps being asked to go earlier than he planned, then perhaps there’s one last team he’d like to have a crack at before he calls it a day on football management.

By AH

11 Comments

  1. One year extension coming. Still at Arsenal next season – to oversee the transition plan. To be honest it doesn’t seem as if the board is ready at this time….with 3 months to go in the season we aren’t even sure of who the likely successor will be.

    1. As an Arsenal fan for 20 years, I`ve supported Arsenal because of the way it is managed, I expect a orderly and smart transition. I don`t want my Arsenal to experience the crisis that teams like Man United, Liverpool etc have gone through.

  2. I wish he could go and manage PSG or England or anywhere this summer but I think he will be with us next season, especially if we finish top 4 and/or win FA Cup.

    I suspect that the board hasn’t got the stomach to find a new manager especially with the club’s financial status being so good.

    The board will soon forgive and forget the 5-1 loss

  3. Someone suggested PSG…..YEAH RIGHT….at the tactical level he offers right now I foresee a reencounter with RVP in Fenerbace easy task to take them every year to the CL with the same results he has shown with our beloved team no further than the round of 16 …..at best

  4. Stalemate! He holds the cards. The board, like Kroenke, are not ready for change as long as the cash keeps flowing in. The question is, will the players Arsenal`s need be attracted to join a club with our recent record and questionable management. Will world class players be prepared to risk their careers especially when the likes of Sanchez have their doubts? Yes, Wenger will be there next season. Yes, fools will buy season tickets by the thousand to pay his ridiculous wages and allow Kroneke to buy up Texas.

    1. People are right when they say that the only way to hurt them is in their pockets. So whenever I see all those guys ranting on AFTV, I think to myself ..oh shut it, you’re more passionate with that s**t than you are in the ground ..you love it.

  5. wenger and national team management suit each other, because he dont like spending theres no spending there, perfect match.

  6. To be fair, I think Arsene deserved the time and patience he got. He done allot of good for this club, and his worst ever doesn’t compare to other worse case scenarios. I like that our club is traditionally one of the classiest you’ll find. Solidarity goes a long way.

    It’s just a shame that his players did not deserve the same loyalty as the man himself earned. Arsene, maybe you’re too good, and that’s been the problem. Much respect, the man, the myth, and of course ..the LEGEND!!!!!

    1. He’s a legend in his own mind … Realistically he is an arsenal manager who enjoyed a great first half and a lousy second half … Legends are not bipolar… Should have left 5 years ago when his reputation was still in tact and club had the basis for a smooth transition

  7. What a delusional bunch most of you are. Why do you think Wenger is still with Arsenal? Because Kroenke, Gazidis, and the rest of the board are happy with what he’s done/doing. If they weren’t, he’d be sacked years ago. It’s all about money, and nothing else. Arsenal is a profitable business these days, not a football club. Do you really think that the new manager (if Wenger leaves) will be tasked with winning trophies? Not a chance. The objectives will stay the same, and so are the results. So channel your anger towards the owner and the board, and not the guy who has done exactly what’s asked of him.

  8. You have a point regarding kroenke and the board’s expectations.
    However, Wenger cannot escape blame. Has he ever complained that he put an ambitious plan for the club on the table and was rejected? On the contrary, the man looks absolutely in control.
    He is the one who deals directly with the players. He is the closest to the fans so he knows our frustrations.
    Do you really believe coaches such as Ferguson, conte, mourinho, ancellotti would achieve the same results that Wenger has achieved with the current squad?

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