Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said that he has dedicated his entire life to making Arsenal a solid club but that he has to now separate the feelings and the emotions from his resignation with his job of winning football matches.
Wenger announced on Friday that he would be stepping down from his role as the club’s manager at the end of the season after nearly 22 years with the North London club.
Wenger, speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Sunday’s match with West Ham United at the Emirates, gave his first interview since his resignation but was reluctant to reveal the details behind his decision to leave the Arsenal dugout next season.
“First of all I am focused on the game,” he said.
“At the end of the day my job is to win the next game and I have to make a separation between the feelings and the emotions that can come with such a decision.
“What is important is your job and I want to do my job well until the end.”
When asked specifically why he resigned Wenger said that he may expand on that decision after the season.
“I will come out on that a bit later,” the Frenchman added.
“At the moment, for me, it’s important to focus on what matters to people of Arsenal. That means the results of the next games.
“But not after the game. After the season, maybe.”
The 68-year-old has been credited with revolutionising English football through the early Premier League years with his meticulous attitude towards nutrition and scouting.
Wenger added that he feels he has dedicated his whole life to building a strong foundation at Arsenal and he wants to see his eventual successor walk into a solid and ambitious club.
“I believe that what is interesting for people is to know who is in charge of the club and the future of the club,” said Wenger
“I feel I have dedicated my whole life to make this club a solid club with strong foundations and in a very healthy situation.
“I always said I wanted to leave the club one day with the opportunity for the guy who comes in to find a very solid and ambitious club.
“That’s what I will do until the last day of my career here.”
