London: Arsene Wenger said Tuesday he has been surprised at the number of job offers he has received since his departure from Arsenal became public. He has also urged the club to appoint his successor as soon as possible.
The Frenchman will step down as Gunners boss after Sunday’s Premier League trip to Huddersfield, with Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri reportedly the first choice of the Arsenal board as his replacement.
The 68-year-old has said he will take a break from football before deciding on his next move. Asked if he had received any offers, Wenger replied: “Yes, more than I expected! At the moment I focus on doing my job well. I want to work well until the last day of my contract. Then I will analyse the offers.”
Even though, Allegri has emerged frontrunner, Carlo Ancelotti and Luis Enrique, both currently out of work, have been linked with the Arsenal job.
“I think the earlier, the better,” Wenger said when asked if an appointment should be made ahead of the World Cup, but he refused to be drawn on who he favoured.
“People want hope and they need as well to prepare for the next season. I must say the squad doesn’t need much, because there’s a huge potential in there,” asserted the Frenchman.
Wenger is set to depart with the club finishing in sixth, the lowest position of his reign, and with no silverware following their Europa League semifinal exit at the hands of Atletico Madrid last week.
Agence France-Presse
Yes, there have been offers. I haven’t analysed those. I want to work well till the last day of my present contract. Then only will I think about those offers
Arsene Wenger
