Arsenal
manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed he will step down from his role at the end
of the season, Skysports reports.
Wenger,
68, will leave a year before his existing contract was due to expire having led
the club to three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups during a 22-year
reign.
Appointed
on October 1, 1996, the Frenchman is the Premier League’s current
longest-serving manager and has taken charge of a record 823 games.
In a
statement on the club’s website, he said, “After careful consideration and
following discussions with the club, I feel it is the right time for me to step
down at the end of the season.
“I
am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many
memorable years. I managed the club with full commitment and integrity.
“I
want to thank the staff, the players, the directors and the fans who make this
club so special. I urge our fans to stand behind the team to finish on a high.
To all the Arsenal lovers take care of the values of the club. My love and
support forever.”
Wenger
himself said on Thursday that former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira “has the
potential” to succeed him as manager.
The
club’s majority owner Stan Kroenke asked Arsenal fans around the world to pay
an appropriate tribute to the Frenchman who transformed the identity of the
club.
He
told Arsenal’s website, “This is one of the most difficult days we have ever
had in all our years in sport. One of the main reasons we got involved with
Arsenal was because of what Arsène has brought to the club on and off the
pitch. His longevity and consistency over such a sustained period at the
highest level of the game will never be matched.
“Arsène
has unparalleled class and we will always be grateful to him. Everyone who
loves Arsenal and everyone who loves football owes him a debt of gratitude.
“Three
Premier League titles, including an entire season unbeaten, seven FA Cup
triumphs and 20 successive years in the Champions League is an exceptional
record. He has also transformed the identity of our club and of English
football with his vision for how the game can be played.
“We
have high ambitions to build on Arsène’s remarkable tenure and to honour his
vision by ensuring that Arsenal competes for and wins the biggest and most
important prizes in the game.
“We
must now focus on making a strong finish to the season and ask our millions of
fans around the world to join us in paying appropriate tribute to one of the
greats of Arsenal’s history and one of the greats of the game.”
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