THE WINNERS THE LOSERS

20 Saturday, April 21, 2018 SPORTS

The changing face of Wenger at Arsenal (Pic courtesy: theguardian) London North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur with LIST OF MANAGERIAL rsenal manager Arsene Wenger is to stand five games remaining. Adown at the end of the season after a reign They are also in the semi-finals of the Europa HONOURS of almost 22 years during which he redefined League, a tournament which represents their the club and became their only realistic route to the lucrative Champions AS Monaco (France) most successful boss. League next season. Ligue 1: 1987-88 The longest-serving current manager in The club said a successor would be appointed Coupe de France: 1990-91 English soccer, with 1228 games in charge, as soon as possible with German Thomas Nagoya Grampus Eight (Japan) had faced increasing criticism from fans, Tuchel, out of work since leaving Borussia Emperor’s Cup: 1995 however, for the Gunners’ failure to sustain a Dortmund almost a year ago, installed as one J-League Super Cup: 1996 serious title challenge in recent seasons. of the early bookmakers’ favourites. Arsenal (England) “After careful consideration and following Premier League: 1997–98, discussions with the club, I feel it is the right Difficult Day 2001–02, 2003–04 time for me to step down at the end of the Arsenal’s majority owner Stan Kroenke said season,” the 68-year-old Frenchman it was “one of the most difficult days we have FA Cup: 1997–98, 2001–02, said in a statement issued by the club ever had in all our years in sport.” 2002–03, 2004–05, 2013–14, on Friday. “One of the main reasons we got involved 2014–15, 2016–17 “I am grateful for with Arsenal was because of what Arsene has FA Community Shield: 1998, having had the brought to the club on and off the pitch,” he 1999, 2002, 2004, 2014, 2015, privilege to serve said. “His longevity and consistency over such 2017 the club for so a sustained period at the highest level of the many memorable game will never be matched.” MAJOR INDIVIDUAL HONOURS years. I managed Wenger was virtually unknown to many Premier League Manager of the club with full fans when he arrived from Japan’s Nagoya the Season: 1998, 2002, 2004 commitment Grampus Eight to take charge at the old and integrity,” ground at a time when foreign added Wenger, managers were still a rarity. who urged the “Arsene Who?,” read one banner. fans to stand They soon found out who he was and what behind the team he stood for — with diets, training methods and end the and playing style all overhauled and a new season on a high. ethos installed. The chants of ‘boring, boring Wenger Arsenal’, heard as much from frustrated signed a two- Arsenal fans as rival supporters in the early year contract 1990s, became ironic and Wenger was hailed extension in as a ‘miracle worker’ and visionary. Aresne 2017 and had Together, they won three Premier League said he planned titles — including in 2003-04 when his to see it out ‘Invincibles’ went unbeaten for an entire despite calls season — and seven FA Cups. He took Arsenal for him to be into the Champions League for 20 years in a replaced. row. They won the league and FA cup double “My personal in 1998 and 2002. situation is not so much my worry at the Greatest Manager Wenger moment,” he had told News of his decision drew a flood of tributes reporters on Thursday and reaction from throughout the game. when asked about his “He is above Herbert Chapman and all of the future. guys who won trophies,” former goalkeeper “My worry is Bob Wilson told the BBC, adding that he was to transform a “shell-shocked” by the news. season with many “Arsene is not only the greatest manager in disappointments Arsenal’s history, he has personally changed away from home the face of the game in this country.” leaving into a success, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, and that’s what who once derided Wenger as “a specialist in matters to me.” failure”, paid tribute to his old rival and said The Gunners he hoped he stayed in football. are a distant sixth Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said he in the league, 14 respected the decision and hailed Wenger points adrift of as an “outstanding personality” and hugely Arsenal fourth-placed influential. (Reuters)