Arsene Wenger’s latest press conference has finally killed all rumours regarding the Frenchman’s retirement. Wenger categorically stated that he will not be retiring anytime soon, and will continue his managerial career. The Arsenal manager defended himself and added that he will continue working, whether it is at Arsenal or at another club.
The comments came after the Gunners manager had come under heavy criticism for failing to handle the pressures of modern football as his team has time and again crumbled under pressure.
Also Read: 5 ways through which Arsene Wenger revolutionised English football
Although Wenger has failed to lead Arsenal to a lot of trophies in the last decade, there is no doubt that he has revolutionised the club and English football. The Frenchman continues to be a figure that commands respect in the football world.
Let’s look at 5 clubs who will gladly want Wenger if the Frenchman decides to leave Arsenal:
#1 Paris Saint-Germain
It is no secret that PSG have been after he signature of Wenger for a long time. The club have previously tried to lure the Frenchman to Paris and according to several media sources, PSG have made contact with Wenger twice in the last 5 years.
The French manager is close friends with PSG’s Qatari owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi and has also worked on one of the Qatari’s personal projects. Wenger has also been a football pundit at beIN sports, owned by Al-Khelaifi.
Unai Emery, the current PSG manager has performed well in the Champions League but has certainly not lived up to expectations in Ligue 1. The club has dominated the league for the past four years but find themselves three points behind table toppers Monaco.
Arsene Wenger’s close relations with the PSG owner and the club's current situation in the league makes this the most probable destination if the Arsenal manager decides to move.
#2 Monaco
The French club shares a great relationship with Arsene Wenger as the Frenchman spent almost seven years at the club. At Monaco, Wenger instantly became a favourite since the team won the title in his first full season. The Frenchman also brought in quality footballers like Glenn Hoddle, George Weah and Jurgen Klinsmann during his tenure at the club.
Wenger’s work at Monaco ensured that the manager attracted the eyeballs of several top clubs. Bayern Munich, in particular, were very keen on getting Wenger but Monaco refused and the Frenchman decided to stay at the club as well.
Apart from Wenger’s history with Monaco, one must also remember that Monaco have a great youth setup which will be a project that will interest the French manager.
#3 Borussia Dortmund
Back in 2014, Arsene Wenger revealed his desire to work in Germany. The Arsenal manager said that his association with Arsenal was so unique that he would never want to coach anywhere in England but would love to manage outside England. The French manager has never managed a club in Germany and this may be a big reason why he could love a chance to manage a club like Borussia Dortmund.
“Germany [is an option] because I am of German culture a little bit and it’s a country where I have never worked and I am very close to it.”
Let’s also not forget that Wenger was born in Alsace, which lies on the Germany-France border, and that he is proficient in German and is well aware of German culture.
Borussia Dortmund are not faring too well under Thomas Tuchel and the club is currently 15 points off the top of the table. The fans will certainly be disappointed considering their woeful league form and the fact that they are 4th in a league that is often called a two-horse race.
If things do not improve, Wenger will definitely be an option that Dortmund take a keen look at.
#4 A Chinese Super League club
The Chinese Super League has stunned football fans all around the world multiple times by offering exorbitant transfer fees and wages to get famous players to China. It will not be a big surprise if one of the clubs decides to go for a move to get a manager of the stature of Arsene Wenger to China.
The amount of publicity and branding that such a move could get is unfathomable and there is no doubt that this would improve the quality of Chinese football in general.
The Chinese Super League clubs can surely put a tempting offer on the table for the Frenchman to lure him to the country. Wenger has also praised China and said that there is a strong chance that the country could rise as a global football powerhouse.
Wenger has worked in the Far East previously as well when he was the manager of Nagoya Grampus Eight, a Japanese club.
#5 Barcelona
Easily the biggest and the most high profile club on this list, Barcelona could definitely be one club that may target Arsene Wenger, if the Frenchman leaves Arsenal in the summer.
Luis Enrique has failed to inspire confidence in the current Barcelona team and his contract expires in the summer. There are several reports that the senior players at Barcelona are disappointed with how the current manager is handling things at Barcelona and it will not be a surprise if he gets the sack or leaves by mutual consent in the summer.
Also Read: Reports: Barcelona want Lionel Messi's 'favourite manager' to replace Luis Enrique
The vacancy created by Luis Enrique’s departure is where Wenger comes in. The Frenchman is a revered figure in the football world and there is a strong chance that he could be the Barcelona manager this summer. The current Arsenal boss is probably the perfect manager for Barcelona because the manager will fit the identity of the club perfectly. The Frenchman has revealed his admiration of Johann Cruyff and the Dutchman’s football philosophy and is sure to respect that if he does move to Barcelona.
An added advantage is the strong youth setup at La Masia, something that Wenger will surely enjoy if a move to Barcelona pans out. The move will also hurt Real Madrid chairman Fiorentino Perez since he has on several occasions tried to get Wenger to the Santiago Bernabeu.
