Author: The Times Robert Crampton Translated by Alex
During his 22 years at Arsenal, he led the team to 3 Premier League titles and 7 FA Cup titles. Then, all of a sudden, the fans started blaming him and he was forced to leave. He told Robert Crampton about the pain of leaving the club and the story of how he continued to play at the age of 70.
When we met at a café in Rue Faidherbe in Paris, Arsena Wenger told me that he had also played in a charity match the day before. Oh yes, are you okay? "I'm fine," he said in that expressionless way, a way that even the most casual fans were already familiar with during his 22 years as Arsenal manager (1996-2018).
He added: "I can say that because you didn't see me playing. "Even so, he is tall and slender, and he can't hide his pride in his physical ability." I'm 70 years old and can still play football, not bad. "In particular, among the other players are Blank, Kalombu and Lizarazu, all of whom are younger generations than Wenger and have made almost 250 appearances for the French national team combined. Did his team win? "Absolutely. 4-1。 "Did he score?" No, I played at centre-back. ”
As a professional, Wenger used to play in midfield. He had a decent career in the French lower leagues, but only played a few games for Strasbourg in Ligue 1. Growing up in Alsace, he loved the team since he was a child. Later, when he needed to play soccer while taking pictures, Wenger showed off his technical prowess. Even in casual clothes, his control in tight spaces is much higher than average. Many of the best coaches – Arsene Wenger, Sir Alex Ferguson, Klopp – have had decent careers, but they are hardly great. Guardiola is an exception, he is world class on the pitch. Mourinho is another, having never played professionally.
When he was still playing football at the age of 30, Wenger had already begun to coach. After spending some time in small clubs, he made a name for himself in Monaco, where he won the championship before going to work in Japan. When he arrived at the Arsene-Arsenal club, which bore his name, one of the media asked the question on the front page of a newspaper: "Who is Arsena?" ”
Just two years later, no one asked that. Because his club won the Premier League and FA Cup doubles. In 2002, Wenger replicated the feat and won the Premier League again in 2004, this time without losing a single game. Although he went on to win cups, qualifying for the Champions League for 19 consecutive years and reaching the Champions League final in 2006, Wenger lost the support of many fans and eventually left his beloved club two years ago. As he admits in his new autobiography, it was a separation that was "very lonely and very painful." He hasn't returned to Arsenal's Emirates Stadium and still hasn't.
"I'll be back one day," he sipped the mineral water. Was he invited? "Yes, but I think it's better to cut it completely. Of course, after I've led my club for a long time, this start will be difficult, but I think it's best to keep a long-range focus. ”
He is passionate about watching every game. I asked him if he had seen the recent international match between England and Iceland, where England won an unbelievable 1-0. Of course, he watched. He once told reporters that he would celebrate his victory by watching a Bundesliga match, writing in the book: "A day without a football game is empty for me." Did he analyse the England game? "Didn't play well. I've seen a lot of good players underperform in England. They didn't dare kick. Phil Foden is a very capable lad, but he hasn't done it yet. He hasn't played enough games at Manchester City. You need about 100 games to know what you're going to do in the Premier League. ”
After leaving Arsenal, he is now "completely out of touch with the club". I mentioned Sir Alex Ferguson, who coached at Manchester United for 26 years and had a place on the board. Why didn't he make a similar proposal? "I don't know. I always say I can still play a role in the club, but I can understand that in the beginning we had better keep a certain distance. "If invited, will he accept it?" I'll take it, yes. ”
Considering that Wenger was not just a manager during his tenure, Arsenal's dismissal of him is particularly impersonal. He was so cautious about the club's money that during the time he moved from Highbury to emirates stadium, the bank insisted that he agree to a new 5-year contract before signing the loan agreement, as if he existed as the club's best investment guarantor.
The usual reward may be to serve as a director of the club. "Yes, but I didn't expect anything." He said. "I'm just doing my job. As long as I'm somewhere, I'll do my best. I'm happy to play for the club and keep them in good shape. Overall, I've done my job on three levels: playing with style and winning; developing players; and developing clubs on a global scale. The third dimension is impossible today, because what you say doesn't count. ”
Maybe Klopp has that power at Liverpool? Wenger was dismissive of it, "No, he's just focused on the team. He doesn't negotiate transfers or build stadiums. "He didn't keep in touch with his peers much." These people are busy. I wasn't close enough to them... Except (he paused) Ferguson, yes. ”
Does he have Ferguson's number on his phone? "Yes, I have Ferguson's phone." Will you know he called? "Yes." Are you friends? "We now respect each other." For a while, you didn't..." We went through a very tense, very hot period. "Throw pizza and other holidays?" (It was one of the things that happened in the players' tunnel at Old Trafford in 2004 when Arsenal's Fabregas took a piece of pizza from the post-match buffet and threw it at the Manchester United manager) Wenger laughed, "When you stop competing, everyone becomes more objective. “
"He (Ferguson) knows wine better than I do," Wenger admitted, gradually beginning to get nostalgic. "Ah, we've had some wonderful fights. He's a smart guy. If you're stupid, you wouldn't have that career. ”
As for Guardiola, the two have no contact. But Wenger revealed: "When Guardiola was a player, he came to my house and asked to play for Arsenal. But at the time I had Vieira, I had Gilberto Silva. I couldn't accept him. ”
Wenger lives mainly in London and also has residences in Paris and Zurich (where he heads FIFA's Global Football Development Department), but he remains an avid Fan of the Premier League. "I follow all premier league games on TV. This is my league. We don't need wisdom to know that Bayern will win the Bundesliga, Juve will win in Serie A, Paris Saint-Germain will win in Ligue 1 and the Premier League remains the most unpredictable league in Europe, although last season was not interesting (Liverpool won the title by a huge margin). ”
Since mentioning PSG, he added: "I've received job offers many times. "Also inviting Bayern, Real Madrid, Barca, Juve, the French national team. What about Manchester United? "Yes," he said. when? "I won't tell you." He laughed. 'But I can tell you that United have given me an invitation to coach. Please tell me when. "I won't tell you," he repeated more firmly.
Passing fans avoided this potential embarrassment, and they asked Wenger for a group photo. Wenger—or Mr. Wenger, whom every devout fan honorifies—maintained his usual impeccable courtesy, but each time a little detached from himself. Later I told him that I was sorry for calling you "Arsena", and he repeated, "No problem at all." ”
We continue to discuss his book. Did he write it himself? "Yes, someone helped, but I wrote it myself." It was his first book, and it was unusual at a time when players were around 24 years old and came out with their first memoirs. "People have asked me to publish books for many years," he said. "For me, it's very difficult. First of all, I don't want to talk too much about me. Second, writing a book is like somewhere in my head saying, 'I'm not teaching anymore, that's the end of my experience.' I don't like that. I don't want to sound like I'm retired. Then I thought, well, even if it's just for my family, to do this (he separated from his wife Annie in 2015; they have a daughter, Léa, 23) so, they'll one day know what I've done all my life. ”
Does he want to coach a club again? "I'm not sure." And when he left Arsenal, he sounded like he was sure he would be coaching. "Yes, for 40 years, every day of my life was just coaching." Two years passed and he enjoyed more time. What's he doing? "Do some exercise. Visit my family and friends. holiday. Read a lot of books. Enjoy life in a sensible way, because I'm a little bit burdened by discipline that I've cultivated over thirty or forty years, you know? ”
After reading his book, I do know how he got up at 5:30 a.m. and worked out at the gym for an hour and a half, and if possible, did some more aerobics. I said, most successful people are disciplined, but you are..." Super disciplined? He guessed. I told him I was going to say "extreme". Is this fair? "Great, yes." Most of us, including famous people, would be afraid of such a description. But Wenger chuckled and enjoyed it. He only slept five or six hours a day and got up early. He was energetic. During the pandemic, he lived in the North London suburb of Tottridge, "running 8-10 kilometres a day".
Part of endurance comes from growing up in the countryside. He wandered through the fields surrounding the village of Alsace, where his parents ran a bar. Growing up, he spoke the Alsatian dialect and French and learned German in school. Football dominates the bars and countryside. However, the French professional league at that time still lacked the depth and structure that Had been established for as long as in Germany, and Wenger could not even dream of his future career. "I didn't see a coach until I was 19. It was truly one of the most amazing things in my life. ”
The church also had a huge influence on young Wenger. "I still have religious morality," he said. "I still like to go to church. It's a place where you can focus. Sometimes I watch Mass on TV, but I can't say I'm a Catholic. God has great power: you can't prove that He doesn't exist. On the other hand, you can't prove his existence either. Religion is created by us. It's a way to be happy in life. God forgives you for your sins; in the future we will go to heaven. We can focus on the present. ”
When he first arrived in England, Wenger on the sidelines established an unusual image, well-dressed, uninhibited, erudite, and called "professor" by those who were skeptical of him. In the past, foreign managers and foreign players did not have him like this. In the context of Proletarian culture in England, Wenger looked like a high-society man. In a way, he was. In his book, for example, he mentions how he first met with Arsenal vice president David Dane and starred in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at an entertainment show at Dane's house. It's hard to imagine Big Sam Allardyce playing a similar role.
As early as 1996, Wenger insisted on emphasizing the importance of concepts such as proper nutrition, reduced alcohol consumption, regular sleep, stretching exercise, mental preparation, and personality adaptation, which aroused people's doubts. "We want our Mars bar," his players chanted on the bus. Then, they started winning, and his competitors discovered that these "stealth trainings" might have some advantages and quickly copied them.
Ironically, Wenger has been trying to convince Tony Adams, Paul Merson, and others to replace alcohol with cauliflower, but has been hiding one of his unhealthy habits: smoking.
"Yes, I smoked for a long time. My father smoked 40 cigarettes a day. I grew up in a smoky bar. Smoking is normal in France. "Even so, he didn't start smoking until he was 34." A friend of mine smokes heavily. We sat down to talk in the evening and I came with one, you know? When I came to England, I still smoked, and after dinner I took one or two sticks, and I couldn't have more. "Do the players know?" I don't think so. I never smoke with the team. No one has ever seen me smoke. "He's been quitting for a long time—" My daughter always complains, you know? "--but still likes to have a drink." Good red wine, not much to drink. ”
Our topic shifted to politics, and he showed a keen interest in it. Confusingly, he said, "I'm on the neoliberal right." I pursue freedom, but certain things (health, defense) must be controlled by the government. I like (French President) Macron. He is the center. It is very difficult to satisfy the French, it is very difficult to govern. ”
Yes, I said. Every time the government tries to change everything, strikes or riots occur. Wenger shrugged. "I'm sorry for Macron because he worked so hard." He argues that shorter working hours, longer lunch breaks, generous benefits, massive subsidies to agriculture, and rather alarming bureaucracy are all unsustainable in France.
"It's like being in a family." Presumably unknowingly quoting Margaret Thatcher, he said. "As long as you can balance your budget, it's fine. Until you have to pay, that's not okay. With the debt we have now, we can't continue like this, because the next generation will have to pay it back. This is an unfair approach. "He sees Germany as an example of a balanced budget." Whether we balance our budgets or not, we act like we want more and more. The same is true in football matches. ”
So what is his country of emigration? "I love England. I feel sorry for England (he's not talking about the whole of the UK) because I'm afraid they'll suffer (after Brexit). You're in a poor negotiating position. England made choices for passion and a desire for sovereignty. I can understand, but unfortunately it wasn't a rational decision. I'm afraid they'll pay for it. Europe will be forced to make it difficult for them, or every country will want to leave. They have no choice. I know Michelle Barnier. He said they were going to be tough on England from day one. He said Brexit was ironic when it came to football, "You want sovereignty, but all English clubs are run by non-English people." ”
Wenger had a feeling that he was getting rid of the pain of being separated from the club, which, as he put it in the book, "weaved my soul into red and white". He loves his role at FIFA. "I can share what I've learned in my life and hopefully share it effectively," he said. "The first year of leaving has also become difficult for other reasons." Six months later, I lost my brother and sister. My sister has Alzheimer's. She had been unwell for ten years. My brother died very quickly. Their departure made him cherish his time with his daughter even more, visiting her frequently at Cambridge, where she was a graduate student in neuroscience.
"Look back at my contract," he said, looking back at the day he left the Emirates Stadium. "The club thought it would be better for me to stop. I always thought it could happen. The fans are no longer happy. Some of them. You can understand that at some point in 22 years, people want to make a difference. "I told Wenger that I interviewed Tony Blair shortly before he resigned in 2007, and he said that after ten years, people will get tired of your face." Ah, so I punished them for 12 years? He joked.
Does he think he may have stayed too long now? He paused for a moment before replying, "Hearing this question, let me think, yes." "Well, it's consensus, isn't it?" Maybe I'm staying too long. "He admits." I do not know. But I was as committed as I was on the first day. I think I've coached the club through the toughest times in a very successful way. At some stages, people say you're too old, but they don't really see your work. I did everything I could to serve the club. ”
And it's almost everything else that excludes. "I rejected the things around me." He wrote. "I don't see beauty, joy or relaxation." But to the detriment of his reputation, he also did not see the players' fake falls on the field. He often uttered his mantra in post-match interviews, saying he hadn't seen a red card or a penalty foul. Now, he admits, "Sometimes that's not the case. I'm a loser, yes. If you're a good loser, you won't be in this job for long. It was something I had from birth and I still love it. If I played cards, I would want to win. You know what they're talking about. He added, and tapped my arm. Women can kill for love and men because they hate failure. ”
Obsessed with work, he didn't become a father until he was 48 years old. "I think it's basically a job that belongs to single people. I've always cherished freedom. I have a girlfriend, but my priority is always football. I love the idea of taking my luggage with me tomorrow to anywhere in the world. In Cannes, I stayed in Villefranche Villefranche. When I was in Nagoya, Japan, I could see a wall. But I always say that if I win the game it's a great view and I'll be happy. If happiness had been like a lifetime, I could say I was happy and still am. ”
Before ending our conversation, we talked about a few other topics. He believes Arsenal's new manager, his former player and Guardiola's assistant coach Artetta "has recaptured the team." They finished well last season, despite a poor Premier League performance, with just 56 points! He believes England have a chance at next year's European Championships, saying: "Southgate's analysis is good". He believes that the epidemic will not have a long-term deflationary lock-in effect on transfer fees, salaries or the hype that escalates around the game. "Once the pandemic is over, football will go crazy again." But he fears that "unless elite clubs help, the lower leagues will perish".
He also believes that without fans, football "loses its charm." We can take the fans for granted, but they are the only constant. Players, games, clubs, stadiums are all changing. The fans won't. When you arrive at The Highbury Stadium on Avenell Road, you step out of the big car and share it with the fans. At emirates stadium, all the security is inside, which is different. ”
After the club was relocated, the magnificent old stadium was converted into apartments. Wenger had seriously considered buying one. In fact, before we parted, he volunteered, "I sometimes drive past Highbury. The entrance is still there, and the gate is on the protection list..."
How does he feel? "I'll be nostalgic," he replied. "We had a wonderful time there."