From David Saunders : Wenger moving upstairs – a controversial view
Hi Myles.
Accepted wisdom I see on Arsenal forums seems to be that if the club want Wenger to move upstairs to a Directorial role after he leaves, then this will be a bad idea as he will want to much control, won’t let go, club needs a clean break etc. etc.
The big cases cited in support of this are always Matt Busby (effect on Sexton) and Alex Ferguson (effect on Moyes).
However, I would argue that unlike most other cases, Wenger is an exception and perfectly placed to move upstairs. The reason is that he has an incredible skill-set away from the training ground.
His key strengths are a) having a long term vision and philosophy, b) making connections internationally and c) getting involved in football politics.
In a sense he will actually be a perfect David Dein-like figure.
What I am saying is I can’t see him actually telling a new manager to spend less time on defensive coaching or not to bother signing a defensive midfielder, but I can see him representing our club and taking it forward at a higher level – as an ‘influencer’ if you like.
Do you have a view on this?
Myles says:
He’s a consummate politician/public speaker/broadcaster.
But he sees Arsenal as laboratory for his ideas. And he lives at the training ground. This summer, apart from a few days in Antibes, he said he was there every day.
Because that ‘s his place of work. And he co-designed his place of work.
Wenger runs the playing side and he hired Ivan Gazidis to work under him and earn a quarter of what he earns. Therefore, as I’ve said 35 times, Wenger has more power than any football manager in history, far more than Sir Alex ever had. He dictates policy and strategy as well as the details of training, travelling, recovery and pre-season.
And he has a vast empire of scouts and assistants on his payroll, reporting only to him.
However, David Dein was a risk-taker, a natural trader, much more impulsive than his friend Arsene.
Wenger dithers on signings. Then he decides. Then, too often, he changes his mind.
But he was close to signing Benzema twice.
Very very very very close to signing Benzema twice.