Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Arsene Wenger back in dugout - and told return should not just be temporary

mirror.co.uk, 22 January 2022, 22:30
Arsene Wenger will take charge of a charity match in Monaco with Ian Rush - who was supposed to be involved before picking up an injury - stating he should consider a permanent return

Arsene Wenger will be back in the Monaco dug out on Monday night in a prestigious charity game involving a number of footballing greats.

Wenger who brought the likes of Glenn Hoddle and Mark Hateley to the Principality during his reign as manager there will be in charge of Monaco ruler Prince Albert's side who are facing a Princess Stephanie Xl managed by former Italy keeper Walter Zenga.

Current France boss Didier Deschamps will be back in playing action together with former stars like Yori Djorkaeff, Fernando Morientes and David Trezeguet.

If it hadn't have been for knee problems Ian Rush would also have been in action but he will be at the Stade Louis II Stadium having together with his business partner Amar Chopra donated £130,000 towards the Fight Aids charity.

Liverpool legend Rush believes that Wenger's return to the touchline shouldn't be temporary and Arsenal should follow up their manager Mikel Arteta's view that there is unfinished business at the Emirates for their former boss.

"I'm a huge Arsene Wenger fan. He has been fantastic, and even now he never stops when it comes to football," Rush said.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Arsene Wenger consider returning to Arsenal in some capacity? Join the discussion in the comments section.

"He always wants to be actively involved. I have recently read his autobiography and it's amazing about what he did off the field as well as on it in transforming Arsenal, the new stadium and everything.

"You can see how special he was at Arsenal by seeing what has happened to the club since he left. It was typical of today's football where if you have a few bad games no matter what you have achieved in the past some fans want you out.

"I feel he could have rebuilt the club again if he had remained in charge. He still had the same energy and enthusiasm. I think they could do with him now there in some capacity.

"I like Mikel Arteta and it was great to see him come out and say that he would love to see Arsene back at Arsenal. I believe that could turn out to be the perfect partnership for the club. Who better to turn to for advice than someone like Arsene Wenger?

"When you read his book you quickly realise that Asenal was his life. It was a good gesture by Arteta.

"Liverpool have never been afraid to involve some of their former players or managers. There's myself and Kenny Dalglish in ambassadorial roles and on match days there's lots of ex players around the place connecting with the fans."

Rush also revealed that he did though turn down the opportunity to play under Wenger.

"When I was leaving Juventus I was asked by my agent whether I wanted to go to Monaco. Arsene was the manager and Glenn Hoddle and Mark Hateley were also there," he recalled.

"The thing that put me off was the small crowds they used to have, attendances sometimes of little more than 3,000.

"That wasn't for me. I always came alive playing in front of full houses. When there are few people watching I don't think I am capable of playing at my best. The more people the better for me. If it's 50,000 great, I love it. It would inspire me.

"Monaco were offering more money than anyone else but I knew they wouldn't have seen the best of me in front of small crowds. I ended up going back to Liverpool.

"But it's going to be nice being in Monaco for this game. I've got to know Prince Albert who is a huge football fan. It's great to do something to help the charity and remind people that the fight against AIDS hasn't been won yet."

Top News

10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly suffered a blow in their pursuit of Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A Chelsea defender has reportedly emerged as a potential transfer target for Bayern Munich. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Highly-rated young manager Will Still has been appointed head coach of Ligue 1 outfit Lens, despite holding lengthy talks over taking the Sunderland job. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have reportedly agreed a 'pact' with Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz ahead of a transfer in 2025. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle United have reportedly added West Ham United star Jarrod Bowen to a three-man shortlist of right-wingers ahead of the summer transfer window. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have potentially suffered a blow ahead of pre-season after one of their attackers sustained an injury while on international duty. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Georgia head coach Willy Sagnol is looking forward to an "awesome" encounter with Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in Group F of Euro 2024 this summer. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Scotland assistant coach John Carver has issued an injury update on star defender Andrew Robertson, who limped out of first-team training on Monday morning. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England boss Gareth Southgate has called up a Manchester United veteran to his Euro 2024 squad as a "training" player while his side go for glory in Germany. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk France head coach Didier Deschamps has addressed injury fears regarding star attacker Kylian Mbappe ahead of Euro 2024. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has reportedly made a decision over his long-term future at the Etihad Stadium. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have seemingly suffered a blow in their pursuit of a defensive transfer target this summer. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly prepared to offer €10m (£8.5m) plus Raphinha for one of Manchester United's rising stars in this summer's transfer window. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly begun discussions to sell one of their out-of-favour defenders who blasted the club's transfer stance in a recent interview. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal reportedly plan to deploy scouts to watch a highly-rated left-back in action at Euro 2024. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk South American giants Argentina will endeavour to win a third consecutive major international tournament and defend their Copa America title in the USA this summer. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle United have reportedly made progress in their efforts to secure the signing of Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly made an approach for an alternative attacking option to Joshua Zirkzee. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Former Barcelona boss Xavi reportedly has his sights set on a move to the Premier League. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Everton are reportedly ready to be proactive in the race to sign a Chelsea player during the summer transfer window. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The season is over and while the transfer window doesn't technically open until June 14, clubs across the UK and Europe are free to get deals in place ahead of next season. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Czech Republic vs. N. Macedonia (Monday, 5.00pm) Czech Republic will round off their preparations for this summer's European Championship with a friendly against North Macedonia in Hradec Kralove on Monday night. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Slovakia head coach Francesco Calzona has announced his final 26-man squad that will travel to Germany for Euro 2024. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fenerbahce have reportedly set their sights on signing Mason Greenwood, but the Manchester United striker has concerns about the prospect of playing under Jose Mourinho. 10 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have reportedly been told that they will need to shell out £50m to secure the signature of transfer target Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa. 9 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are ready to incur a significant loss on Kieran Tierney, as they prepare to offload the former Celtic hero permanently in the summer for just £10m, according to a report. 9 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ukraine will wrap up their Euro 2024 preparations when they travel to Chisinau for Tuesday's friendly with Moldova. 9 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Lithuania are set to host Estonia at the Darius and Girėnas Stadium in the final of the Baltic Cup on Tuesday. 9 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Lativa are set to host Faroe Islands at the Daugava Stadium on Tuesday in the Baltic Cup third-place playoff. 9 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final match of gameweek four in Group B at the CAF World Cup qualifiers will see South Sudan taking on Sudan at the Juba National Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.