Some younger fans may find this hard to believe but there was actually a time not so many moons ago when soon to be departing Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was one of the most sought after managers in European in football.
In fact, back in 2002 when Sir Alex Ferguson announced that he was to retire as Man United boss – before performing a u-turn and staying on until 2012 – the Old Trafford club made the Gunners coach their number one choice to replace the legendary Scot.
Red Devils Chairman at the time Martin Edwards even met Wenger at the Frenchman’s house to discuss the possibility of him taking over the reigns at United, however the 68-year-old admitted yesterday that he was never tempted to leave Arsenal as the club is and was the love of his life.
“Arsenal is the love of my life,”
“I turned many, many, many jobs down to stay here, and face the challenge when we build the stadium.”
“I speak to everybody. I met Martin Edwards. Many people came to see me in my home. But I was always, I think, loyal to this club.”
It wasn’t just the United job Wenger turned down over the years with the 68-year-old also rebuffing offers to manage Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG and even the England national team.
The longer serving Gunners coach will travel to Old Trafford for the last time this Sunday to face United, the team that have been his biggest adversary over the course of his 22 year managerial career in English football.