Arsene Wenger has been officially ruled out of the sports director role at French giants Paris Saint-Germain by club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. Reports had said that Al-Khelaifi was set to employ his close friend as Wenger admits he wants to stay in the game.
Wenger finished his long Arsenal career this month after he was let go from his role as manager. The 68-year old had been in charge for 22 years and won three Premier League titles, seven FA Cup trophies and seven Community Shield’s.
The French champions though have opted not to replace their current sporting director, although Al-Khelaifi has admitted Wenger is a close friend, and someone he spoke to before buying the club.
Speaking to L’Equipe, the Qatari billionaire said:
“He is a close friend, I have a lot of admiration and respect for him and everything he has done in football. He’s a big man. This is one of the first people I spoke to before buying the club, and he told me one thing that I never forgot: ‘You buy a diamond and it will be cut and shined’.
“I do not know what he will do, but he will have a lot offers. Today, the sports director [of PSG] is Antero Henrique and he will stay.”
Wenger has reported that he has received numerous offers of roles at football clubs since leaving Arsenal, but the most likely is that he will return to France, and will be the frontrunner to take the French national team managerial position should the team disappoint at this summer’s World Cup.
