Arsenal must be "open-minded" in replacing Arsene Wenger - Ivan Gazidis
ByReuters
Updated 20/04/2018 at 18:03 GMT
Arsenal need to be "open-minded" in finding a new manager following the announcement of Arsene Wenger's departure from the club, chief executive Ivan Gazidis said on Friday.
Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger (centre right) embraces chief executive Ivan Gazidis after their win over Chelsea in the English FA Cup final football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley stadium in London on May 27, 2017
Image credit: Getty Images
Wenger is to stand down at the end of the season after a reign of almost 22 years and while Gazidis refused to discuss whether the Frenchman left entirely of his own accord, he said the search for a new manager had not yet begun.
"The most important thing is to make the right appointment - not a quick one," said Gazidis, who said that out of respect for Wenger no discussions had been held while he was in the post.
"The process begins today. I want to keep that process in-house. This club has to rise to the challenge. You don't find a replacement for Arsene Wenger, you find a new path forward.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/04/20/2317404-48246850-2560-1440.jpg)
Arsene Wenger manager of Arsenal (R) and Ivan Gazidis, CEO of Arsenal (L) in discussion as they sit in the stands prior to the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Arsenal and Olympiacos at the Emirates Stadium on September 28, 2011 in London, Eng
Image credit: Getty Images
"We need to be open-minded and also brave in the decision. Be bold and get the person we believe is the right person," Gazidis said.
Former AC Milan and Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone, Juventus's Massimiliano Allegri, Germany coach Joachim Loew and former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira are among the names mentioned as possible replacements for Wenger.
Gazidis gave few clues about the profile of manager the club would be looking for but suggested they would have to be adept at bringing through young players and adhere to Arsenal's values.
"Our academy teams are doing extremely well. Under the radar, we have a lot of young players coming through so that value of bringing in youth has got to be one," Gazidis said.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/04/20/2317402-48246810-2560-1440.jpg)
Arsenal FC CEO Ivan Gazidis speaks during the Western Sydney Wanderers Gold Star Luncheon at The Westin on July 14, 2017 in Sydney, Australia.
Image credit: Getty Images
"When Arsene was appointed, he was not on everyone’s radar. What I will say is that it’s important to me that we continue the football values that Arsene has instilled at the club.
"Someone who plays exciting and progressive football. But I think there is also a significant thing at Arsenal in how the candidate represents the club. We need to make sure we don’t lose his qualities and his values," said Gazidis, who avoided a question about whether Wenger would be consulted on his replacement.
Gazidis, who paid fulsome tribute to Wenger's work at the club and his personal qualities, said the Frenchman would always have a place at the club but said it was "too soon to say how that would look".
He also suggested Wenger might not be ready to retire from the game just yet.
"He’s somebody who is in great shape and has a competitive edge but that’s a question for him," he said.
The Arsenal CEO said the timing of the announcement would allow the club's fans to give Wenger a strong send-off.
Majority owner Stan Kroenke said "This is one of the most difficult days we have ever had in all our years in sport. One of the main reasons we got involved with Arsenal was because of what Arsène has brought to the club on and off the pitch. His longevity and consistency over such a sustained period at the highest level of the game will never be matched.
“Arsène has unparalleled class and we will always be grateful to him. Everyone who loves Arsenal and everyone who loves football owes him a debt of gratitude.
“Three Premier League titles, including an entire season unbeaten, seven FA Cup triumphs and 20 successive years in the Champions League is an exceptional record. He has also transformed the identity of our club and of English football with his vision for how the game can be played.
“We have high ambitions to build on Arsène’s remarkable tenure and to honour his vision by ensuring that Arsenal competes for and wins the biggest and most important prizes in the game.
“We must now focus on making a strong finish to the season and ask our millions of fans around the world to join us in paying appropriate tribute to one of the greats of Arsenal’s history and one of the greats of the game.”
Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov also released a statement of his own.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement