Is this the end of the road for Gunners coach Arsene Wenger? According to one report it looks like it as Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis appears to have offered the biggest hint yet that long serving manager could leave at the end of this season after declaring that the club is just as much involved in the decision.
Wenger’s contract with the Gunners is expected to expire in June and Gazidis believes both the club (managment) and the Frenchman are to discuss the matter further.
It was widely believed that ‘Le Professeur’ would leave the club on his own terms, having been one of the longest serving chiefs in the Premier League.
“Arsenal is not Arsene Wenger. They’re not one in the same thing,” the Emirates chief is quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror.
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“He’s been clear and we’ve always been clear, that’s a mutual decision as to how long he’ll continue. Both need to be on the same page on that. In a football sense, he has transformed the club.”
Rumours that Wenger is prepared to step down in summer have been circulating with increasing regularity in recent weeks, while Arsenal are alleged to have already lined up Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe as a replacement.
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There was also increasing frustrations amongst fans on Wenger for failing to secure some high-profile players, most notably or infamously, his attempt to rope in Jamie Vardy from Leicester City.
If rumours do come true, it could result in the 66-year-old taking over as England manager. The FA were keen on him before hiring Sam Allardye, while the timing of Gareth Southgate’s temporary charge could work with only five England games between now and June.