Dangote: I’ll Sack Wenger When I Buy Arsenal

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote has said his first priority when he takes over Arsenal is to fire manager Arsene Wenger.

Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg, Dangote reiterated his desire to buy the North London club, a project he has been nurturing for many years now.

Wenger, Arsenal’s longest and most successful manager, has spent 21 years at the club, winning three Premier League titles and seven FA Cup trophies.

But a relatively barren second half of his tenure means Wenger stands third when judging post-war managers by trophies won.

“The first thing I would change is the coach. He has done a good job, but someone else should also try his luck,” he said.

The billionaire mogul said he will consider making an offer once the construction of his $11 billion oil refinery in Lagos is completed.

Stan Kroenke, American billionaire, is Arsenal’s biggest shareholder, controlling 67 percent of the company, with Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov, owning 30 percent stake of the club.

Usmanov, had in June offered an estimated $2.6 billion to buy the club from Kroenke, but was rejected by the American.

Dangote says he’s optimistic that the right offer will persuade Kroenke and Usmanov to sell their shares to him.

“If they get the right offer, I’m sure they would walk away. Someone will give them an offer that will make them seriously consider walking away. And when we finish the refinery, I think we will be in a position to do that,” said Dangote.

In May, Wenger agreed a new two-year deal with Arsenal, keeping him at the Emirate Stadium till 2019.