The brilliant 17-year run in charge of Arsenal Football Club could be about to come to an end for Arsene Wenger.
The latter part of the Frenchmen’s reign has been hampered by an astonishing seven seasons without a trophy, the constant tightening of the purse strings from above his head and star player after star player leaving to chase more money and fame elsewhere.
We shouldn’t linger on the second half of his tenure, which was stricken with controversial player movements and disappointment.
We should remember the man who forever changed the way football was played in England.
The man who won three league titles and four FA Cups, including, of course…the 2003-04 season when his team became the first to go through the league undefeated in an astonishing 115 years.
But now, the new money giants of Paris Saint-Germain loom in the wings, with Carlo Ancelotti confirming he won’t be back, Wenger has become their prime target. And it’s a chance for him to experience management in his home country for the first time since 1994 when he was the manager of AS Monaco.
Also far more importantly to him I would think, is the chance to manage a club with a seemingly endless supply of money. It would be a polar opposite to the situation he’s had to endure at Arsenal for so long.
He’d inherit a squad with some of the world’s best players – Ibrahimovic his new Henry, Lavezzi the new Pires and Thiago Silva his new Tony Adams. (Just in terms of position, I’m aware these players are nothing alike)
And it wouldn’t stop there. He’d have to power to bring in any player he wanted, and to keep them at the club for his tenure.
There would be no Alex Song, Cesc Fabregas or Robin van Persie incidents – and it would give him the chance to chase that elusive Champions League title – something he got closest to when his Gunners lost in the 2006 final to Barcelona, after taking the lead early on.
It would probably be quicker to construct a list of players NOT linked to PSG in the last few months, but some of the bigger names who have been strongly connected with the Parisians include; Wayne Rooney, Nani, Samir Nasri, Edinson Cavani and even Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of course, most rumours are just that. But even to add one of the players on the list would further strengthen the squad who pushed Barcelona to the limits in the Quarter Finals of the Champions League just a few weeks ago.
And if I were Wenger, at this point I’d be completely sick of the British Media, who have hounded him relentlessly from the day he arrived in relative obscurity, from the vaunted Grampus Nagoya of the J-League.
I thought Wenger should have been moved on three seasons ago. At the time it was an unpopular opinion, but one that has just gotten more and more support as the trophyless seasons have piled up.
(Having Piers Morgan stick his over-entitled two cents in on twitter after every loss can’t be helpful, either.)
Overall it seems like this is the only solution going forward for Arsenal, a once great club that has stagnated for so long.
Let’s just hope the man that brought them to the mountain top and kept them there for several years is remembered that way…and not for what’s happened since.
Bondy
I think what people tend to forget is Wenger has thrashed it out with Man Utd for 17 seasons no other manager has given Utd such a run for so long. Its very plausible that Wenger may go to PSG he seems somewhat sick of the financial element to English football.
Michael Shandrick
Guest
I would like Wenger to leave and write a book. Wenger will no doubt be the only one who has the intelligence and candor to tell the truth about Arsenal the past seven years as well as the EPL. The league is awaiting a new fresh hell; but he will be well clear of it and will not have to contend with billionaire owners to spoiled numbskulls masquerading as players. Who would want that job? Next season the proof of Wenger's true contribution to Arsenal be there for all to see, if only the fans and writers were smart enough to understand it.
Football United
Roar Pro
This, he gets it unbelievably easy from the bit media. any other manager of a top 5 side without a trophy for this long would be sacked
Augusto
Guest
Let him go. the main achivement in Futebol is to win championship. Arsenal has not won anything in 7 years so his last results are not good. Let him go. He was very good during his first 9 years at arsenal, but recently weger does not buy good playesr even with money available, does not give competitve salaries to players. I wish him good luck and sucesses ate PSG. Let us have a new approach for arsenal futebol.
Harsh Sinha
Roar Guru
Jurgen Klopp, if he leaves Dortmund , will be the favorite to manage Arsenal then. Rumors surrounding that Cesc Fabregas will be back in Arsenal and has already bought a flat in London.
Harsh Sinha
Roar Guru
+1
Harsh Sinha
Roar Guru
He has carried Arsenal to Champions League qualifications despite the mass exodus!!!! Well if Arsene Wenger's time is over, who should then replace him at Emirates??? Ancelloti looks booked for Real as Mourinho is making a return to Chelsea. Jurgen Klopp maybe?
Steve
Guest
Have not heard any such rumors, but it wouldn't be a complete surprise to see Wenger leave Arsenal this off-season. What gets me is the notion of failure attached to the last few years of Arsenal performances. Yes, they're not as competitive with the biggest spenders in England and Europe at the moment, but that is as much a function of budget decisions as it is team performance. In a league without a salary cap this will happen over time...who knows where the next big spender will buy. It's wishful thinking I know, but I'd love to see a salary cap for European football.
Disco
Roar Guru
The Dictator ain't going nowhere... unfortunately.
Give me the Aussie pls!
Guest
"And if I were Wenger, at this point I’d be completely sick of the British Media, who have hounded him relentlessly from the day he arrived in relative obscurity, from the vaunted Grampus Nagoya of the J-League." You a) are Australian (which is why you support 'Aussie' Leeds) b) have never lived in the UK or long enough to closely understand the British game c) don't actually read the British media. I do. The Times, Sun, Mirror, Guardian and Telegraph. Arsene has had one of the easiest rides with the British media ever seen. Every British football fan knows this. The Times and in particular The Guardian have spent 15 years as his official cheerleader.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Interesting article Matt. Tbh. I have not read anywhere that Ancelotti wouldn't be back at PSG next year. My understanding is that he hasn't made up his mind or at least hasn't made it public yet. I agree though, if Real wants him, they will get him (challenge,aura plus money= unbeatable). Regarding Wenger, I think he still has one year on his arsenal contract. This w-e he said to French media that he had no intention of joining Paris next season. He added ' I have always seen the end of my contracts and am not going to change at my age'. But ppl have made this kind of declaration and signed a month later so everything is possible. Dunno what to think of him tbh. Like you, I liked him for a long time but I do think he is now a bit disconnected with today's football. Most PSG supporters aren't too keen and am not too keen either. When it comes no Nasri, a marseillais, no one would understand a move to Paris. I certainly do not want him there.