Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger met the media a few hours ago ahead of tomorrow’s Europa League semifinal first leg against Atletico Madrid. As you might expect, his resignation, announced last Friday, was a hot topic of discussion. Wenger revealed a few more details about both his departure, effective at the end of the season, and his future plans.
Wenger said the timing of his exit wasn’t really his decision, thus revealing that his hand was forced somewhat. He also said that he plans to continue working in football, but that he won’t entertain any offers until after this time at Arsenal is through.
“The timing was not really my decision. And for the rest I’ve spoken about it already,” Wenger answered when asked why he’s stepping down this year, despite a current contract that runs until next.
“I focus on what I have to do every day. At the moment, I work like ever.”
The Frenchman says he doesn’t know what he’ll do with his life after the north London club, but he did say that he has no intention of retiring.
“Honestly, I don’t know what I will do. Will I take a little rest? I will continue to work, that is for sure,” the 68-year-old said. “My pride has always been to give my best to where I’m employed until the last day of my contract.
“At the moment I’m just focused on that. At the moment, I’m not ready to commit to anything else than to give my best for Arsenal football club.”
The Arsenal boss has been linked to both Paris Saint-Germain and the French national team. Regarding his Gunners successor, Wenger said he has “high opinion of Luis Enrique” but also that he didn’t “want to influence the next manager.”
The winner of three Premier League titles and 10 major trophies at the club was also asked if he had any second thoughts about the resignation announcement. “Look, you’re never sure you do the right thing, but life is interesting because you have to deal with different kinds of situations,” Wenger responded.
“Until now, I had a life that was full of different experiences. Some were very difficult to deal with, but I always did it. That’s another one certainly I will face one day.”
Ideally, the way for Arsene Wenger to go out would be with a Europa League title, thus acquiring one more trophy, and with a place in Champions League next year for his successor.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Sound Cloud, LinkedIn and YouTube.