Arsene Wenger teases return: What next for the Frenchman?
by Jack Kitson / 24 May 2019, 08:49TweetA year has flown by since we last saw Arsene Wenger in the dugout.
Since then Pep Guardiola’s Man City have won an unprecedented domestic treble, Man Utd switched Jose Mourinho for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and good old Brendan Rodgers is back in the Premier League.
Meanwhile Arsenal, now led by Unai Emery, missed out on a Champions League spot by a single point, although the Gunners have a second stab to secure a prized place in next year’s competition when they face London rivals Chelsea in the Europa League final over in Azerbaijan next week.
It’s a match that Wenger will no doubt be keeping a close eye on as his Spanish successor bids to become the first manager to win four Europa League trophies, having previously won a hat-trick of cups with Sevilla.
"You will see me again in football. As a manager...I don't know,” he teased in an interview with BBC Sport.
Wenger has kept himself busy doing charity work, analysing matches on TV, and delivering stunning speeches, but he’s now eager to return to the beautiful game.
In what capacity is open to debate.
Throughout the last year the Frenchman has been linked with a multitude of roles, both managerial and as a sporting director.
If he’s keen to return to the Premier League, as a manager, he may have to wait until a vacancy opens next season. However, with the likes of Pep Guardiola and Maurizio Sarri linked with Juventus, one of the top jobs could soon be available.
Incidentally, Wenger can be backed at 33/1 to take charge of the Old Lady, and is hovering around 14/1 to become the next AC Milan manager, should Gennaro Gattuso exit this summer.
Newcastle (33/1) could be an outside option, with Rafa Benitez’s future still not confirmed. Similarly, Celtic are yet to confirm if Neil Lennon will be offered the permanent job, while he’s priced at 25/1 to replace Tony Pulis at Middlesbrough.
Perhaps a return to France should he be tempted by Lyon whose boss Bruno Genesio will depart after their clash with Nimes on Friday night.
