Arsene Wenger: It would be terrible for me to not work after Arsenal exit

James Benge9 May 2018

Arsene Wenger says he would feel “terrible” if he stopped working when his reign at Arsenal comes to an end later this week.

Wenger has only two games left as Arsenal manager, away to Leicester and Huddersfield, and has already said a fond farewell to the Emirates Stadium in the aftermath of Sunday’s 5-0 win over Burnley.

Once his reign comes to an end on Sunday Wenger will take time off after 34 years almost without a break in management, though he has insisted since his reluctant departure was announced that he will remain in football. Whether that is in day-to-day management or a more executive role remains to be seen.

“After Huddersfield I will take a few days to think about all that, how I feel really, what my deep desire is, the challenge I want next,” he said.

“I’ve made one decision until now, that I will continue to work, that’s for sure. My brain is active and it would be terrible for me not to work. In what capacity? I haven’t decided yet.

“For me, my life since I was a kid has revolved around football. I think that will continue. I have interests in politics, economics because I studied that… but after one or two days it becomes boring for me. My first reflex in the morning is always, ‘Is there a game to watch tonight?’.”

Wenger is noted for the obsessive nature of his work and did not even allow himself the following morning off after his emotional farewell to Arsenal supporters, instead making his usual pilgrimage to the training ground.

In Pictures | Arsenal vs Burnley, Arsene Wenger farewell | 06/05/2018

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He is certainly in for a culture shock when his 22-year reign in north London ends.

“I need to organise my life a little bit, because at the moment I’ve organised the lives of others more than my own life,” Wenger told the club website.

“I’ve neglected many of the aspects of my own life. Also, I would say that a lot was organised for me because I have a structure around me that has done so well for me and taken care of me.

“The examples are when I travel, whether I will need a car or a cab, all the details… whether I will need dinner somewhere… I never had to do it myself, just to say what I wanted to do. I will have to organise my life in a different way.

“I didn’t have to do a lot, and now I will have to do it myself!”

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