Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Ed Malyon

Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says his 'future is unknown' as he waits for right opportunity

When Arsene Wenger left Arsenal last summer, the feeling from those that know him was that he would not waste too much time in finding a new job. 

Life at London Colney (and the Emirates Stadium) filled Wenger's every day and thoughts of Arsenal filled his every night. The Frenchman, now divorced from his long-time wife, Annie, was expected to want to throw himself headfirst into the next project. Several months later, though, he is still waiting. 

Wenger has received plenty of offers in the intervening months but nothing has sufficiently tempted him to leave behind the life of travel and relaxation he suddenly discovered when freed from the grind of daily football management. 

And speaking at the launch of the Sport for Good awards by Laureus, Wenger said: "my future is unknown, even to me."

"I'm quite open you know, I enjoy daily life know and I have travelled a lot recently. 

"I believe as well that sport today, in the world, has a huge responsibility. It's not only about stars, it's about values."

Arsenal moved on, of course, with the hire of Unai Emery as head coach and afforded recruitment tsar Sven Mislintat a greater role. 

But Mislintat has since left the club after a difference of views with director of football operations Raul Sanllehi and Emery's golden start, with an unbeaten run of 22 games in the autumn giving way to some disappointing results. Defeat in Belarus to BATE on Thursday put Emery's Europa League campaign on notice, and with the top four battle also looking increasingly tough, it is yet to be seen whether Arsenal have moved forward since Wenger's departure. 

Wenger appears to have travelled a lot and enjoyed himself, but hasn't yet found permanent employment. A reunion might not be on the cards for now, but it is hard not to wonder what someone of the Frenchman's immense experience might be able to offer the club in a backroom capacity if he eventually decides his full-time coaching days are behind him. 

Keep up to date with all the latest news with expert comment and analysis from our award-winning writers

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.