Arsene Wenger’s 22-year spell as Arsenal manager will come to an end this summer.
The news was confirmed on Friday morning, with the club publishing a joint statement from the 68-year-old and the club’s majority owner, Stan Kroenke.
With Arsenal’s hopes of securing a return to the Champions League next season now resting solely on winning the Europa League, it is perhaps little surprise that Wenger has opted to step down.
Although Wenger – who signed a two-year deal following last season – made the decision himself, it has been claimed that he did so while under pressure from the club’s board.
According to Joshua Robinson of the Wall Street Journal, Arsenal’s board had told Wenger they wanted him to leave in the summer, irrespective of the fact he had a year to run on his contract. Wenger therefore took the decision to leave ‘on his own terms’ instead of being fired.
Wenger made the decision this week, under pressure from the board who told him they wanted him out this summer despite the year remaining on his contract. Rather than be fired, Wenger said he preferred to go out on his own terms. https://t.co/nZ52ZS7Plc
— Joshua Robinson (@JoshRobinson23) April 20, 2018
Wenger won three league titles while Arsenal boss and remains the only manager to guide a team through a Premier League season without suffering defeat. He also won a record seven FA Cups and seven Community Shields.
Patrick Vieira was named as the early favourite to replace him at The Emirates, with several other high-profile names in the frame.
