Real Madrid’s interest in having Arsene Wenger manage them is nothing new. The Galacticos have tried to lure him to the Spanish capital on more than one occasion in the past and tried once more in the summer according to the Daily Mail.
The English publication claims that the La Liga giants were keen on appointing Wenger as their manager before handing the role on a permanent basis to Zinedine Zidane. The Frenchman took over as the interim manager after Rafa Benitez was sacked in January and went on to win the Champions League.
Florentino Perez was not keen on handing the job to Zidane on a permanent basis and was on the look-out for a proper replacement earlier this year. The ‘Zidane experiment’ was not something Perez was keen on but when the former Real Madrid player managed to win the Champions League within 6 months of taking charge, his mind changed.
Wenger is said to have been aware of this interest again from Real Madrid but paid no heed to it. It’s Arsene’s 20th year in charge of Arsenal and many reports suggest that this could be his last year there.
Former Real Madrid president, Ramon Calderon confirmed last year that Arsene Wenger had been their top target for several seasons but the Frenchman was so much ‘in love’ with Arsenal that he did not make the switch. Calderon revealed that Wenger was interested in joining them once but then again changed his mind quickly.
“He was talking to me about Real Madrid and, at that time, he was very interested in the club and what was happening. I remember he said: “Are you going to Hollywood again, or to make a football team?” He meant are you going for film star Galacticos or to make a proper football team.” said the former Real Madrid president.
Apart from Real Madrid, England and PSG are also keeping an eye on Wenger according to various reports. The manager has a lot of experience under his belt and is known to bring up youngsters – something which England, PSG and Real Madrid need right now.
Wenger has faced a lot of criticism from Arsenal fans for not spending enough in the transfer market and also for selling many top stars to rivals. Many fans called for his sacking after The Gunners went 9 years without a trophy but the board and owners stuck with him. He finally managed to deliver 2 FA Cup’s and 2 FA Community Shield’s in successive years but then again went trophyless for the 2015/16 season.
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