Jose Mourinho has moved to increase Sir Alex Ferguson’s influence on decision-making at Old Trafford as part of the manager’s efforts to return Manchester United to the summit of English football. Time makes a difference with what the guy has done. Why had Arsenal gone for an unproven foreign manager when the club could get someone experienced – or at least well known in the footballing circles? You don’t just keep the previous year’.
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Asked about taking the job, Wenger, 66, said: “One day, if I’m free, why not?”
“The priority is to do well here, this has always been my club”, Wenger said. “For me to go through this history has been a privilege”. At that time, I would never have imagined I would still be here 20 years on. It’s a love story and a love story you expect always to last forever. Arsenal are [2.08] to win half-time/full-time, as they have done in their last four matches in all competitions, but with Burnley having yet to concede a first-half goal at home, the draw half-time/Arsenal full-time double result at [4.6] could be worth a punt.
“We are not looking for a saint, we are looking for someone who can motivate a team, is great at winning matches and can make us a far better competitor”.
“We knew he [Allardyce] was a man of the world, we knew there had been a Panorama inquiry a few years ago”. But hopefully we can strengthen belief that we can do very well. And Wenger thinks the victory over Chelsea could represent “a turning point” when it comes to convincing his squad they can be champions.
“Many lies were told about me and Mourinho when he arrived at the club this summer”.
Four players signed by Allardyce to Bolton Wanderers were among 17 suspicious deals raised by the Stevens inquiry launched and funded by the Premier League in 2006, which Federation Internationale de Football Association never got to the bottom of when asked. You have many big teams.
“Africans are hugely passionate people and there is a big passion in Africa for the game. How long can I do, I don’t know”, said the Gunners longest serving manager.
But Wenger was in no mood for reminiscing and is still hungry for success as his side look to continue their strong start to the season with a win at Turf Moor. Speaking in the Sky studio immediately afterwards and in these pages the next day, I came down hard on a team who, in my opinion, had overstepped the mark. “It’s something that always looked odd to me”.
“I am not commenting on that”, he said. I’m not English, I am French. But of course you do not spend 20 years in a country without identifying or getting used to some values or behaviours of the local culture.
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“I rule nothing out because I want to work and do well”. I am completely committed for the immediate (future). We have shown for years that we can have a good togetherness at the club.
