Arsene Wenger: Arsenal manager to retain complete control of club and transfer business next season
Wenger will remain at the helm next season, but it could prove to be his last
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Your support makes all the difference.The half-hearted protests that faced Arsene Wenger during the 1-0 victory over Norwich on Saturday evening appear to have had no effect whatsoever given that the manager will retain full control of both player and staff matters at Arsenal next season, it is being reported.
Sections of the home support at the Emirates Stadium displayed A4 pieces of paper with “Time for Change” emblazoned across them, with a words “Arsenal is stale – fresh approach needed” written underneath.
But as soon as the banners appeared, chants in support of the Arsenal manager quickly drowned out the boos and jeers, and there were even signs on display backing Wenger and criticising the “fans” who had turned on the most successful manager in the club’s history.
According to The Telegraph, Wenger will retain full power with both the running of the club and matters in the transfer market for next season, although there is a growing expectation that next season could well be Wenger’s last at the club as he approaches the end of his current contract.
The club’s owner, Stan Kroenke, also faced protests outside the stadium before kick-off on Saturday, but he will not bow to pressure to replace Wenger this summer and will not make any forced appointments on the 66-year-old despite the discomfort in the stands.
Despite winning consecutive FA Cups, some Arsenal fans have grown disillusioned with the 12-year Premier League drought that stretches back to the ‘Invinicibles’ side of 2003/04, and with the Gunners losing out this season to either Leicester or Tottenham – given they cannot mathematically win the title anymore – there is a sense that the club has missed its best chance to end that unwanted run.
Wenger addressed the protests against him after the match, and while he stressed that he is equally as frustrated at Arsenal’s title failure, he admitted that he believed the protest would be much worse than it turned out to be.
“I just think that we are here to give our best,” said Wenger. We have been remarkably consistent at the top. There are disappointed people because we didn't win the league. Believe me, we are as well. We have to come back and win it and that is all we can do.”
He added: “From what I was told, I thought the whole stadium would be white (with placards).
“I am in a public job and I have to live with judgement as long as it is respectful. If it is only opinion, we have all to accept that because we are in a public job.”
Wenger also touched on his old rival, Sir Alex Ferguson, and used the example of the great Manchester United manager facing calls to leave once upon a time to draw on his own desire to stay at Arsenal.
“I give my best for this club,” said Wenger. “You don't spend 19 years at a club – like Sir Alex Ferguson spent 27 – without every minute of your time, you give your whole life for that and try to do as well as possible. One target is to keep 100 per cent of people happy. Unfortunately I wasn't able to do that this season.”
However, he added that he would not be matching Ferguson’s milestone of 27 years in charge, adding: “No, no, never. Don't worry.”
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