Transfer News: Arsene Wenger hints at exit, says he could be managing another club next season

Arsene Wenger has provided the biggest hint yet about his Arsenal future

The Frenchman was visibly downcast as Arsenal were humiliated in Munich earlier this week, when Bayern Munich all but ended their Champions League hopes with a crushing 5-1 victory over the North London side.

There have been weeks of rumours about his future with many potential successors already reportedly lined up – with Harry Redknapp even touting Thierry Henry as the man to take over from his compatriot – but so far Wenger has refused to be drawn on his future.

However, he has now dropped one of the biggest hints yet about his future. The Frenchman says that he will still be a manager next season, although he is now unsure whether that will be at Arsenal or elsewhere.

Yes, I will decide future in March or April, but I don’t know when,” he said, according to the Telegraph. “I speak to the board but I don’t want to speak about how they view my future. What’s important is the club, not my future. I will manage next season whether it is here or somewhere else.”

Wenger has also been harshly criticised by Arsenal fans at the Emirates, with several banners starting to pop up asking the manager to resign. When asked about fan dissent, the Frenchman said it would always be an issue.

“That is an internal debate. Even if I go, Arsenal will not win every game. As long as you don’t win everything, there is always something wrong. You have to accept that. In the last 20 clubs in Europe, only three clubs have played every season in the Champions League – Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. If everything is not perfect, not everything is wrong.”

MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 15: Headcoach Arsene Wenger of Arsenal FC before the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Arsenal FC at Allianz Arena on February 15, 2017 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Marc Mueller/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Slowly realising his time is at an end? (Photo by Marc Mueller/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Wenger has been at the club since 1996 and this is the first time that there has been such a strong feeling of dissent among fans and ex-players towards the Frenchman. Arsenal legend Ian Wright recently said after having a dinner with Wenger that he felt that the manager was going to leave at the end of the season.
Wenger’s recent comments are out of character and are surely a strong indicator that he is seriously considering an exit. He has run down his contracts in the past but has never talked about managing another club.
However, he has confirmed in the past that he turned down several offers in order to stay at Arsenal but the patience among the Emirates faithful is at it’s lowest point in it’s tenure and Wenger will know that.
Should Wenger leave, his successor will have massive boots to fill. It appears that Arsenal fans will not have to wait until the end of the season to see what’s next however, as Wenger’s comments indicate he will decide his future within the next two months.

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