With the end of the season Arsenal will lose its manager. Arsene Wenger has announced his retirement in a statement on Friday and this has caught fans and football lovers by surprise.
In the released statement the manager thanked his club to let him serve so many memorable years and said it is the right time for him to step down.
Wenger added that his decision is based on careful consideration and discussions with the club, and new manager will be appointed to the earliest.
Later today a press conference is being expected by Club chief executive Ivan Gazidis. It is learned Wenger asked Arsenal to let him announce first about his retirement and thereafter the club can hold a press conference for the same.
He conveyed the message to the Arsenal players himself at the training at their London Colney base and later the news was made public. He informed his coaching staff personally too.
The manager said he has managed Arsenal with full commitment and urged fans to stand behind the team.
In recent years Wenger’s future was highly speculated and for the second year in row the club Arsenal may miss out the top-four finish in the Premier League.
The Frenchman led Arsenal to three Premier League titles, seven FA Cups and took the club into the Champions League.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said he is surprized to learn Wenger is retiring but his decision is respected and he had a fantastic career.
He added that Wenger was a dominating man and was with the football club for so long – 22 years.