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Arsene WengerArsenal coach
Date of Birth: 22.10.1949
Country:  France |
Content:
Arsene Wenger: A Biography
Arsene Wenger, the former manager of Arsenal, worked with the London club from 1996 to 2018. His contribution to English football - changes in talent scouting and selection, training approach, and dietary choices - allowed Arsenal to become competitive and make their mark in the globalization of football in the 21st century.
Early Life and Career
Arsene Wenger was born on October 22, 1949, in Strasbourg, France, and grew up in Duttlenheim in a family of entrepreneurs. His father, once a manager of a local village team, introduced him to football at a young age. After modest success on the field and playing for several amateur clubs, Wenger earned his coaching diploma in 1981.
Following a disappointing period at AS Nancy-Lorraine, which culminated in his dismissal in 1987, Wenger joined AS Monaco. In 1988, he helped the club win the French Football League Championship. In 1991, Wenger guided Monaco to victory in the Coupe de France. However, the inability to reclaim the league title in subsequent seasons led to Wenger's departure from Monaco by mutual agreement in 1994.
Wenger spent some time coaching Nagoya Grampus Eight in the J.League in Japan and won the Emperor's Cup and Japanese Super Cup during his time there.
Arsenal Career
In 1996, Wenger was appointed as the manager of Arsenal, and within two years, he led the team to the Premier League and FA Cup double. In 2002, Arsenal became Premier League champions again and completed another double in 2002, retaining the FA Cup the following year.
In 2004, Wenger's team went unbeaten in the Premier League, a feat only matched by Preston North End 115 years earlier. They went on to surpass Nottingham Forest's record of 42 unbeaten matches and won an additional seven before suffering defeat in October 2004.
Arsenal reached their first UEFA Champions League final in 2006, but lost to Barcelona and received their first-ever red card in a final. After nearly nine years without a trophy, coinciding with the club's move to the Emirates Stadium, Wenger led Arsenal to victory in the FA Cup in 2014, 2015, and 2017. Under Wenger's management, Arsenal won a total of 17 trophies.
Records and Controversies
Wenger became the record holder for most FA Cup wins by a manager with seven, surpassing George Ramsay's record that had stood for 97 years. Throughout his tenure, Arsenal players received 100 red cards from September 1996 to February 2014, leading to criticism of the team's discipline.
In 2004, a notable incident occurred between Wenger and Alex Ferguson, the former Manchester United manager, known as the "Battle of the Buffet." This came after a controversial penalty decision in a match that resulted in a 2-0 victory for Manchester United. In the tunnel of Old Trafford, Cesc Fabregas threw a slice of pizza at Ferguson. In interviews after the match, Wenger accused Manchester United's Ruud van Nistelrooy of rough play against Ashley Cole, resulting in a three-match ban for the Dutch striker.
Wenger had a rivalry with former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson throughout his career at Arsenal. However, in later years, their rivalry became more respectful, especially after both teams stopped competing for major titles.
In 2005, Wenger engaged in a public disagreement with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, with Mourinho accusing him of being "obsessed" with Chelsea and calling him a "voyeur." Mourinho later apologized but made critical remarks about Wenger again in 2014.
Wenger also faced disciplinary action during his career. In 2000, he was accused of threatening and physically confronting referee Paul Taylor after Arsenal's defeat to Sunderland. Wenger was suspended for 12 matches and fined a significant sum of money. He attempted to appeal the decision but received a further reprimand and a £10,000 fine.
Personal Life
Wenger was married to former basketball player Annie Brosterhous, with whom he has a daughter born in 1997. The couple separated in 2015.
During his free time, Wenger enjoys analyzing football matches and has an interest in politics. He wrote a book on football management titled "Shōsha no Esupuri" exclusively for the Japanese market. The book was published in August 1997 and covers Wenger's philosophy, ideas, values, as well as his thoughts on Japanese football and the game as a whole.
