Arsenal legend Robert Pires believes Arsene Wenger just isn’t cut out for international management… and that’s a compliment.
The Three Lions are on the prowl for a permanent manager after Sam Allardyce’s reign came to an end after just 67 days in the job. Big Sam was given the boot after he was captured on camera discussing how to bypass the FA’s third party player ownership rules and apparently negotiating a £400,000 speaking engagement deal with supposed Far Eastern businessmen, who were actually undercover reporters.
For the time-being, Gareth Southgate will act as interim England manager, but with Wenger’s contract at Arsenal running out next summer, the FA could be eyeing up the Frenchman for the gig. However, Arsenal legend Pires doesn’t believe Wenger would be suited to the role.
Speaking at the launch of Star Sixes, the first ever competitive world football tournament for iconic former international players, Pires explained that Wenger is too hands-on for international management and he believes his former boss would grow restless in the long periods between games
“I see Arsene… he loves the pitch every morning. This is like an obsession, it’s a passion. Manager for the national team is not really the same, because he loves football.”
“This is my opinion. If he takes this job, he needs to adapt. The new job. The new challenge. But I repeat, it’s not really the same.”
Pires admitted that someone of Wenger’s stature would make him very desirable for the FA, but he reiterated that the Gunners boss may not be able to make the transition from club to international football, simply because there’s not enough going on to feed his obsession.
“I understand the fans in England, they need a manager like Arsene Wenger, he is a great person and a great manager.”
“I don’t know what will happen but it would be a good opportunity for England. I don’t know [if it would] for Arsene Wenger.”
“It is not the same job when you are manager of one club like Arsenal or for the country, seriously I don’t know what he wants for the future.”
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