Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger today confirmed the FA’s interest in making him
the next England boss.
The FA appointed Sam Allardyce to fill the vacant Three Lions post last month but had reportedly made Wenger, who has one year left on his contract with the Gunners, their No.1 candidate.
Speaking to Sky Sports at the official launch of the 2016/17 Premier League season in North London, Wenger revealed he was a candidate for the role.
“Yes but you know, I think I have shown I respect my contracts and I rate loyalty highly,” the 66-year-old said.
“I always did that with Arsenal and I have one more year to go so I was not available anyway.”
Wenger has previously been touted for the England manager’s job during his Arsenal career, while also turning down the top role at La Liga giants Real Madrid.
The FA have since denied that Wenger topped the list to replace Roy Hodgson this summer.
“We only offered the job to one person and we offered the job to Sam [Allardyce], obviously,” said FA technical director Dan Ashworth.
“In fact, I think there was a different favourite every day for a period of time but that [Wenger being first choice] was not the case at all.”
The Frenchman said in July he could see himself taking charge of the English national team but only after his contract with Arsenal expires.
Wenger said: “Could I manage England? Why not? I would never rule that out, but I am happy and focused in club football. 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 contracts and will continue to do that. What will I do after that? Honestly, I don’t know.
“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.”
Arsenal’s season kicks off with the home visit of Liverpool at the Emirates on Sunday.
The Anfield side comes into the opening weekend off the back of a 4-0 win over Barcelona at Wembley which was followed by an underwhelming defeat by the scoreline against Mainz.
Arsenal meanwhile beat Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side 3-2 in Sweden to cap off what would have been an unbeaten pre-season bar a 3-0 defeat to Boreham Wood.
But pressure on Wenger to bring in new in new players to the Arsenal set-up was only increased after Gabriel suffered an ankle injury in the final stages of the friendly in Gothenburg.
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