Arsenal set for life without Arsene Wenger next season as Frenchman announces departure this summer

James Olley20 April 2018

Arsene Wenger has confirmed he will step down as Arsenal manager at the end of the season.

Standard Sport revealed in January that there was a growing feeling behind the scenes this would be the 68-year-old’s final campaign in charge, and on Friday morning Wenger released a statement through the club’s website clarifying his position.

“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,” he said.

“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 for ever.”

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It is understood that Wenger told his coaching staff this morning before addressing the players in the first-team dressing room at Arsenal’s London Colney training base at 9.45am.

Wenger asked the club to delay making the announcement public until he had a chance to inform the squad. Official confirmation appeared on the Gunners’ website shortly before 10am.

Most staff at Highbury House — the club’s offices next to Emirates Stadium — were unaware of what was happening. There was no internal memo and the vast majority learned of Wenger’s departure only when it was formally revealed.

Wenger has been under intense pressure after a disappointing Premier League campaign in which they are virtually certain to finish outside the top four for the second consecutive year.

Their hopes of securing Champions League football are now dependent on winning the Europa League – a two-legged semi-final against Atletico Madrid begins next Thursday at Emirates Stadium.

It was expected that his future would be dependent upon success in that competition but the board was split over awarding Wenger his previous contract last summer and those divisions have grown during a campaign in which fan unrest has continued.

Majority shareholder Stan Kroenke said: “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.

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“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.”

The club added: “Arsène will lead the team to the end of the season and we will make an appointment as soon as possible. The club will not be making any further comment on the selection process until an appointment is made.”

Front-runners for the job include Juventus’ Max Allegri and Carlo Ancelotti while Thomas Tuchel, Mikel Arteta and Patrick Vieira have been suggested as possible alternatives.

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