Wenger to pick Dein successor
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Arsene Wenger claims he will handpick the successor to David Dein, while denying that foreign investment into Arsenal could force his own exit.
Wenger revealed he is on the lookout for a new director of football, an admission that would appear to rule out a return for former vice-chairman Dein.
Dein left The Gunners in controversial fashion last week and Wenger revealed he has been doing the job of two men in the interim and is keen to share the workload.
"There will definitely be a director of football coming and it will definitely be my choice," Wenger told the website.
"That is something I will be looking at soon. At the moment I am doing both jobs - the one that David Dein used to do and my own.
"I was in a good position before because I would handle the football side and David would do the ugly stuff, the business.
"Now it is all down to me. It is difficult because that side of it is very time-consuming."
The Arsenal boss has also performed a U-turn on his thoughts for potential foreign investment into the club.
In the wake of American investor Stan Kroenke increasing his stake in The Gunners on Friday, Wenger was quoted as querying the trend of foreign investment in Premiership clubs.
"I'm not against foreign ownership of clubs. How could I be?" added Wenger.
"I am a foreign manager and there are many foreign players at Arsenal and in the Premiership.
"But it has to be done in the right way. If it happens at Arsenal it would not mean I'd quit the club." -
Damien Comolli was immediately linked with David Dein's job
The man immediately linked with the job was Damien Comolli, the young Frenchman who is currently the sporting director at deadly rivals Tottenham.
It would be a controversial coup if Wenger could persuade his friend Comolli – credited with helping attract Thierry Henry, Robert Pires and Kolo Toure to Arsenal while a scout at the club – to return, and a blow for Spurs, who lost previous sporting director Frank Arnesen to Chelsea.
Wenger revealed the clubÂ’s plans after Arsenal had drawn 2-2 at Tottenham yesterday.
“We will appoint a director of football for next season,” said Wenger. “And, yes, I will make the recommendation as to who should have the job.”
A return for Comolli – who also worked under Wenger at Monaco and Grampus Eight – would help soften the blow of Dein’s sacking for the manager, who was close to the former vice-chairman.
Wenger also plans to buy just one new player for next season – certain to be an international-class striker – because is happy with the players he currently has.
He said: “We will bring in one new player, but that’s all. I feel we already have the necessary quality. Sometimes it is intelligent not to change too much.” -
Let's hope Comolli will return..
