Arsenal FC coach Arsene Wenger shocked the entire sporting world yesterday when he announced he will be leaving the club at the end of the season.
Details have however emerged on why the longest serving Premier League coach is resigning. According to a source at the club, Arsene Wenger was left with little choice but to quit as Arsenal manager, after being told by the club’s hierarchy he would be sacked if he refused to step down.
Wenger announced the decision to his players as news broke on Friday morning.
The 68-year-old who joined Arsenal from Nagoya Grampus Eight in 1996, started by telling them “I have bad news for you – I’m leaving the club at the end of the season.”
Many of the players were left crying, with the players looking at each other and having no idea what to say.
It has emerged that Wenger decided to leave, as he no longer wields complete control over transfer. The club have hired Sven Mislintat from Borussia Dortmund to handle their transfers. And Arsenal want a manager who will fit into their structure, rather than the huge figure of Wenger dominating the club at all levels.
The increasing apathy of the club’s fans is another major reason Wenger why has finally called time on his Arsenal career. There have been lots of empty seats during matches at the Emirates Stadium, leaving the club worried about its image and potential sponsors.
And while the players have faltered on the pitch, the club’s hierarchy also became concerned about a lack of discipline in the camp.
