Arsene Wenger hasn’t ruled out managing the England national team in the future.
Speaking to beIN Sports, via MailOnline‘s Alex Bywater, Wenger insisted he intends to see out the final year of his contract with Arsenal, but appeared to leave the door ajar to one day maybe take over the England job:
"Could I manage England? Why not? I would never rule that out, but I am happy and focused in club football.England is my second country. I was absolutely on my knees when England went out against Iceland. I couldn’t believe it.But when you watched the game you could sense, after 60 minutes, that the worst could happen.Did they panic or were they tired? I don’t know, but England couldn’t find an answer to what Iceland posed.I have one more year to go with Arsenal and I have been with them for a long time. I have always respected all my contracts and will continue to do that.What will I do after that? Honestly, I don’t know."
Wenger’s support for England, the country where he’s enjoyed his finest moments as a manager, is commendable. The Frenchman also represents the ideal choice to clean up the mess created during Roy Hodgson’s time in charge of the Three Lions.
Hodgson failed dismally at tournament level, but does still deserve some praise for shepherding England toward a youth movement where precocious talents are favoured over the old guard.
It was a process that involved sweeping away some ageing international mainstays such as Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Ashley Cole. In their places, Hodgson blooded burgeoning young stars such as Dele Alli, Eric Dier and Chris Smalling.
In many ways, Hodgson was the right man for the transition, but the wrong coach to progress the young squad he’d shaped. By contrast, Wenger is perfect for a collection of young players who are defined more by technical skill than overt physicality.
Wenger has established a justified reputation for trusting youth and developing raw prospects into marquee players during his years with Arsenal. Consider Patrick Vieira, Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Hector Bellerin as prime examples.
A manager who demands his teams play expansive and attractive football would work wonders with a national talent pool dominated by creative, attack-minded midfielders such as Alli, Ross Barkley and Arsenal’s own Jack Wilshere.
Wenger has had a tough time at Arsenal in recent years, where his inability to win a first Premier League title since 2004 has made him the target for some fierce criticism. That same criticism may force him out the door once his current deal has elapsed.
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