adminLONDON. — Arsene Wenger has insisted he would manage England one day — but has ruled himself out of the running this time.
Frenchman Wenger (66) insists he will not break his contract at English Premiership soccer side Arsenal which expires in 2017 but hinted that could be the end of his 20-year reign.
Wenger had previously insisted he would not take the England job but opened the door this time, although the FA want to make an appointment in the next few weeks so that ends any suggestion he could take it. Arsenal boss Wenger, in an interview with beIN Sports, said: “Could I manage England, why not? I would never rule that out, but I am happy and focused in club football.
“England is my second country. I was absolutely on my knees when England went out against Iceland. I couldn’t believe it. But when you watched the game you could sense, after 60 minutes, that the worst could happen.
“Did they panic or were they tired? I don’t know, but England couldn’t find an answer to what Iceland posed.
“I have one more year to go with Arsenal and I have been with them for a long time. I have always respected all my contacts (throughout my career) and will continue to do that.
“What will I do after that? Honestly, I don’t know.”
Meanwhile, Jurgen Klinsmann is free to rescue England from their Euro 2016 nightmare. Germany legend Klinsmann, who is now the bookmaker’s favourite to replace Roy Hodgson, has a contract with the United States’ national team which runs until the end of the next World Cup in 2018.
But a simmering row with boss Sunil Gulati, the head of US Soccer, has ensured no one will stand in his way.
In fact, Gulati won’t shed a tear if Klinsmann takes charge of the Three Lions as it would allow him to strike a hefty compensation deal with the FA.
The 51-year-old former Tottenham striker has been sounded out as the race to replace hapless Hodgson heats up. — The Mirror.
Online Reporter