Arsene Wenger explained why he hasn’t reappeared at Arsenal since his exit after staying perhaps ‘too long’ at the club.
Wenger remains a legendary figure following a 22-year spell in charge of Arsenal, which ended in 2018. He led the club to 17 trophies, including three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups, and the Champions League final in 2006.
‘Le Professeur’, who now works as Fifa’s new chief of global football development, has notably been absent ever since his exit.
“I will go [back] one day,” Arsene told the Times.
“But I thought it was better to cut completely. It was difficult at the start, of course, after leading my club as long as I did. But I thought it’s better to follow from a distance.”
Pioneer. Innovator. Legend.
There's only one Arsène Wenger. pic.twitter.com/3gPgpqxnVK
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On not being offered a board role, he said: “I don’t know.
“I always said I would still play a part in the club, but I could understand that at the start it’s better that we take a complete distance.”
Wenger’s reign in north London was revolutionary in several ways, with many crediting him for changing the face of English football. His training, diet, and nutrition methods were unheard of prior to his arrival in 1996.
Things went downhill towards the end of his 22-year spell, however, prompting the Frenchman to leave.
“Maybe I stayed too long,” admitted Wenger. “I don’t know. But I was committed like on the first day.
“I think I guided the club through the most difficult period in a very successful way.
“At some stage people say you’re too old, but they don’t really look at what you do. I served the club as much as I could.
“The supporters were not happy any more. Some of them. You can understand that, at some stage, 22 years, people want a change.”
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