Arsène Wenger

Arsène Wenger, OBE (b. October 22, 1949 in Strasbourg), nicknamed 'The Professor', is a French football manager. He is currently the manager of English Premiership club Arsenal.

Biography

Wenger's playing career was relatively inauspicious. He began playing amateur football as a defender or sweeper for various minor French clubs, while at the same time studying at the University of Strasbourg, where he completed a master's degree in Economics in 1974. Wenger turned professional in 1978, signing for RC Strasbourg, and making his debut against Monaco. Although Strasbourg won the French league in 1979, Wenger did not feature prominently in the team, playing only three times. In 1981, he obtained a manager's diploma and was appointed the coach of the Strasbourg youth team.

Related Topics:
Defender - Sweeper - University of Strasbourg - Master's degree - Economics - 1974 - 1978 - RC Strasbourg - French league - 1979 - 1981

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After an unsuccessful spell at Nancy, where the club were relegated, Wenger's managerial career took off when he became the manager of AS Monaco in 1987. He was initially successful with the club, winning the league in 1988 and the French Cup in 1991, and signing high-calibre players such as Glenn Hoddle and Jürgen Klinsmann. However, he was sacked in 1994 after Monaco finished ninth in the league. Wenger moved on to a successful 18-month stint with the Japanese J. League team Nagoya Grampus Eight.

Related Topics:
Nancy - AS Monaco - 1987 - 1988 - French Cup - 1991 - Glenn Hoddle - Jürgen Klinsmann - 1994 - Japanese - J. League - Nagoya Grampus Eight

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On September 28, 1996, Wenger joined Arsenal, succeeding the sacked Bruce Rioch. Wenger was a relative unknown in England (though he had been previously been touted as a potential Technical Director of the Football Association), but quickly led the club to success. Under his guidance, he led Arsenal to 3 championship titles (including two doubles) in the space of 8 years in charge. Renowned as a great thinker, occasionally being nicknamed 'professor', he is highly respected as a coach throughout Europe, although Arsenal have yet to be called a truly great side without winning the Champions League.

Related Topics:
September 28 - 1996 - Arsenal - Bruce Rioch - Football Association - Doubles - Champions League

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After several years without a major trophy, Wenger's Arsenal have become a major contender for the Premiership, and he has been responsible for bringing such world class players like Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires to the club. In his 8 years as Arsenal manager, Wenger has spent less than £40 million net on players, which compares favourably with other clubs' spending, most notably the £260 million that Roman Abramovich has spent in two years as chairman of Chelsea. This has earned him a reputation as a shrewd talent scout and developer of young players' skills.

Related Topics:
Thierry Henry - Patrick Vieira - Robert Pires - Roman Abramovich - Chelsea

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As well as bringing in new players and tactics, Wenger has also reformed the training and dietary regimes, ridding the club of its drinking culture, and has had a direct input to the design of the Gunners' new Emirates Stadium and its move to a new training ground at London Colney. David Dein, the vice-chairman of Arsenal, has described Wenger as the most important manager in the club's history; without the increased TV revenue and prize money (especially from the Champions League) that Arsenal have accrued thanks to Wenger's successes, it is unlikely that spending on the new stadium would have been possible.

Related Topics:
Emirates Stadium - London Colney - David Dein

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Wenger's demeanour is normally mild and unaggressive, though occasionally his temper has got the better of him. On October 10 2000, he received a fine and a 12-match touchline ban from the FA for "threatening behaviour and physical intimidation" to a match official during Arsenal's defeat at Sunderland earlier that year; the ban was later overturned on appeal. He is also well known for his rivalry with Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.

Related Topics:
October 10 - 2000 - Sunderland - Manchester United - Alex Ferguson

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Wenger was awarded an honorary OBE for services to British football in the Queen's Birthday Honours List of 2003. In October 2004, he signed a contract extension that will keep him at Arsenal through the 2007/2008 season.

Related Topics:
OBE - Queen's Birthday Honours List - 2003 - 2004 - 2007/2008 season

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