Football World Reacts To Wenger’s Arsenal Exit
Reactions continue to pour in following the news that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is leaving the club at the end of the season.
Wenger on Friday in a news conference announced his decision to step down in May.
Advertisement
The announcement means the 68-year-old will leave a year before his existing contract was due to expire.
The Frenchman led Arsenal to three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups during a 22-year reign.
Appointed on 1 October 1996, Wenger is the English Premier League’s current longest-serving manager and has taken charge of a record 823 games.
“After careful consideration and following discussions with the club, I feel it is the right time for me to step down at the end of the season,
Advertisement
“I am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years,” the Frenchman said in the statement.
Tributes From Clubs, Coaches, Players and Fans:
Arsenal’s majority shareholder Stan Kroenke paid tribute to Wenger describing him as a man of “unparallelled class”
“Arsene has unparallelled class and we will always be grateful to him. Everyone who loves Arsenal and everyone who loves football owes him a debt of gratitude,” said Kroenke.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says football won’t be the same without Wenger.
Advertisement
“I was surprised. It is his decision and we have to respect that. He was and is still an influencer in football,” Klopp said.
“He’s had a fantastic career, an outstanding personality and very successful.
“Maybe in the last few months not everyone was happy, but he was the dominating guy in the mid-90s/2000s.
“He was always a big role model and it will be different without him.
Former Arsenal defender and current pundit for BT Sport, Nigel Winterburn says Arsenal fans should reflect on Arsene Wenger’s time at the club fondly and with gratitude for what the Frenchman has achieved, but claims now is the right time for him to leave.
“The last four or five league games, the crowds are well down, I think it has run its natural course,” Winterburn said.
Advertisement
“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,” Winterburn added.
Former Manchester United great, Gary Neville says Wenger has achieved “immense” success at the North London club.
“He did very well, he came to England and I can’t talk negatively today about Arsene Wenger,” he told Sky Sports News.
“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.”
#MerciArsène pic.twitter.com/7wqOwveCfz
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 20, 2018
Respect Mister Wenger ! pic.twitter.com/RrE3qtkYcz
— AS Monaco ?? (@AS_Monaco) April 20, 2018
Arsene Wenger is to leave @Arsenal at the end of the season. He has given much of his life to Arsenal. He has brought much success to the club. He has given much to the game of football in our country. Merci et bonne chance, Monsieur Wenger. #Wenger
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 20, 2018
Dear Arsene,
Thank you for all the great memories. We will never forget the great times and we understand the not so great ones. Your legacy is as guaranteed as the foundation of the Emirates stadium and the your immortality as the Invincibles.
Thank you Arsene Wenger @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/kgUzVJgf2r
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) April 20, 2018
There is a world famous poem called ‘if’ by Rudyard Kipling.. endeavor to look it up. It reminds me so much of arsene wenger. A man who always stuck by his values.. I am sad to see him leave… So sad..???
— Yung denzL (@MI_Abaga) April 20, 2018
As a United fan, I thought I was ready for Wenger to leave but I’m not. The memories of the intense United vs Arsenal rivalry during my childhood have all come rushing back. It’s not the same these days but he was like the last remaining piece?
— Tobi (@Tobjizzle) April 20, 2018
“Don’t name a stand after Wenger. They don’t need the money – Name the stadium after him. Even if it’s The Emirates Arsene Wenger Stadium.”
– Paul Merson
— ArsenalFanTV (@ArsenalFanTV) April 20, 2018
The only manager in the Premier League that gave Sir Alex Ferguson a run for his money. He revolutionised the game, gave us the Invincbles, 3 PL titles, 7 FA Cups and gave us the likes of Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires etc. The man is a legend. Merci Arsène Wenger. pic.twitter.com/mavfjbznFZ
— P¹⁸ (@RedLacazette) April 20, 2018
We’re going to miss Wenger and his coat. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/SivbkfTNhO
— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) April 20, 2018
Paul Merson has been on one this morning…
“Don’t name a stand after Wenger. They don’t need the money – Name the stadium after him” pic.twitter.com/JQSwWG75gN
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) April 20, 2018
We will never see another era of footballing managers who built such a legacy at two clubs. Two managers who brought out the best in each other. Arch rivals but with a hell of a lot of respect for each other. Sir Alex was always pushed to be better, by Wenger. pic.twitter.com/xmh0ElXEQ0
— The Man Utd Way (@TheManUtdWay) April 20, 2018
? Arsene Wenger steps down as @Arsenal manager.
? Live scenes from Arsenal Fan TV…. pic.twitter.com/pQJwdFBo1K
— SPORF (@Sporf) April 20, 2018
1993, I started watching a Team, I didnt know the name of the team, but i knew their Goalkeeper had long hair “David Seaman”, I was later told the name of the team i fell in love with is Arsenal with Manager Arsene Wenger. Took me 7 years to realize he was not the club owner. ? pic.twitter.com/abalaDSebm
— Bhadmus Hakeem (@Bhadoosky) April 20, 2018
Wait until they find out the problem wasn’t Wenger… and that perhaps he was mitigating their difficulties. https://t.co/QJF2a9OigS
— Sizwe Dhlomo (@SizweDhlomo) April 20, 2018
Message to Arsenal fans! BE very CAREFUL what you wish for… Wenger changed football for the better in this country when he arrived imo! Out with the drinking culture and in with the athlete.. I only see someone like Simeone able to get anywhere near close to Wenger’s level.. GL
— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) April 20, 2018
“Nobody will finish above us in the league. It wouldn’t surprise me if we were to go unbeaten for the whole of the season.” – Arsene Wenger (2002) – Arsenal then went on an unbeaten run of 49 games which included the entire 2003/2004 season. #MerciArsène
— Amara Nwankpa (@Nwankpa_A) April 20, 2018
Arsene Wenger has turned Arsenal into one of the biggest clubs in Europe during his 22 years in charge,the only manager I’ve known
Thank you Arsene for the memories,even though most of us fans wanted you to leave,you deserve our RESPECT,Europa League is all we need#MerciArsène
— Pye Waw (@pyewaw) April 20, 2018
49 #PL games unbeaten ?
Top-flight record broken ✅Arsene Wenger’s @Arsenal Invincibles ? pic.twitter.com/m1DH2YCVow
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 20, 2018
