'Greatest manager in Arsenal's history': Coaches, players, broadcasters react to Arsene Wenger exit

Updated 20/04/2018 at 19:24 GMT

Arsene Wenger will step down as Arsenal manager in May following 22 years at the helm of the north London club.

Arsenal's coach Arsene Wenger from France looks on during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 first-leg football match AC Milan Vs Arsenal at the 'San Siro Stadium' in Milan on March 8, 2018

Image credit: Getty Images

The story broke on Friday and it didn't take long for the sporting world to react to the news.

Managers

Premier League

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Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)

First of all, I was surprised but we have to respect his decision. He was, and still is an influencer in football. He has had an outstanding career, an outstanding personality, a big player in the business. 22 years! That’s long. Very successful. He always developed teams. I always admired his work.

Jose Mourinho (Manchester United)

"If he’s happy I’m happy, if he’s sad, I’m sad, I always wish the best for my opponents, I always wish the best, so for me that’s the point, if he’s happy with the decision he makes and looks forward to the next chapter of his career and his life I’m really happy for him. If he’s sad, I’m sad. I’m pretty sure we as a club and especially because Mr Wenger and Arsenal were for many, many years the biggest rivals of Sir Alex’s era, I’m pretty sure that we as a club will show Mr Wenger the respect he deserves."

Jupp Heynckes (Bayern Munich)

"Firstly he has had a sensational career in France and England for 20 years or so at Arsenal.

"He was one of the top coaches in Europe. Maybe he will take over a general manager position, but to work as a coach at another club I don't know if he wants it. I cannot imagine it. He does not need it.

"He's had an outstanding career and he was a positive influence for English football with his philosophy and his style of play. But as in politics and in sports when you get a bit older you have to say 'that's enough'."

Mark Hughes (Southampton)

"When you have had longevity in the game like Arsène has, and I have been in the Premier League for a long time, our paths have crossed on numerous occasions, we had a few run-ins but other times we were very civil and respectful of each other’s efforts.

"I had a good conversation with him two weeks ago, he looked very relaxed and chilled.

He came with different ideas, different views on how the game should be played, he moved the goalposts for everyone else, he came in and had success and everyone else had to catch up.

Neil Warnock (Cardiff City)

"He's been the man who's changed the whole face of the game. We owe him so much... and yet we give him so much stick. I've said over the last five-six years - 'be careful what you wish for, the grass isn't always greener'."

Ex-players

Thierry Henry (former Arsenal striker)

His legacy is untouchable. Managers, fans from other teams - (they talk about) how Arsene changed Arsenal. I am happy that now we can all talk about his legacy. Let's not forget we still have to win the Europa league. It would be an amazing achievement.

Tony Adams (former Arsenal captain and central defender)

Thanks for everything Arsene. Move over Herbert, Arsene Wenger the greatest Arsenal Manager.

Nigel Winterburn (former Arsenal full-back)

"The last four or five league games, the crowds are well down, I think it has run its natural course," Winterburn said. "Wenger has been absolutely amazing for Arsenal Football Club. He has kept the club relatively successful, but the one thing the fans wanted him to do was to get this Premier League title challenge and that hasn’t happened.

It feels like the right time, and he will be remembered fondly at this club. I think when people look back, they will really appreciate what he has done.

"I think it’s right, everyone has a clear picture from now until the end of the season, they need to win the Europa League to get into the Champions League."

David Seaman (former Arsenal goalkeeper)

Lauren (former Arsenal full-back)

Paul Merson (former Arsenal midfielder)

I played under him for just under a year, it was the fittest I ever was. It was like clockwork. It was a machine. He was so far ahead of his time, it was unbelievable.

"After a week of Wenger, the players were in at 9am waiting for training. We used to go away with England, do these stretches he’d given us, and all the England lads were doing them in the end. He took all the beer and drink out of the players’ lounge, and there’s no doubt he prolonged so many players’ careers."

Bob Wilson (former Arsenal goalkeeper)

"He is the greatest manager in the history of Arsenal football club. He is above Herbert Chapman and all of the guys who won trophies. Arsene is not only the greatest manager Arsenal’s history, he has personally changed the face of the game in this country."

Sol Campbell (former Arsenal central defender)

Gary Neville (television pundit and former Manchester United star)

"He did very well, he came to England and I can’t talk negatively today about Arsene Wenger," he told Sky Sports News. "My initial reaction is one of warmth, really.

"Certainly the best English teams that I ever played against were built and managed by Arsene Wenger. The '98 team is the best team that I've ever played against.

"The biggest compliment that I can give Arsene Wenger is that he played a level of football and a quality of football that made us change the way we played."

What he’s achieved at Arsenal and in English football is immense. In terms of what happened, he continued to win trophies right until the very end – multiple FA Cups in the last few years – that are now being stoned upon as not being good enough.

"The reality of it is, if you look back through Arsenal’s history, they have always gone long periods without league titles. This is the most successful period in Arsenal’s history, the last 20 years.

"They’ve got the best stadium in this country, and he has achieved great success through that, not the largest in England but there is no negative at all."

Gary Lineker (television presenter and former England striker)

Nwankwo Kanu (Former Arsenal striker)

Patrick Vieira (Former Arsenal captain)