Ex-Man United Chairman: Arsene Wenger Nearly Left Arsenal To Replace Fergie

By The Editor
on 8th September 2017

Arsene Wenger nearly replaced Sir Alex at Man United…?

Former Manchester United chairman Martin Edwards on how Arsène Wenger nearly left Arsenal to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson #5liveDaily pic.twitter.com/YkcIpla4no

— BBC Radio 5 live (@bbc5live) September 8, 2017

Former Manchester United chairman Martin Edwards revealed that Arsene Wenger took two meetings with the Red Devils in 2002 in order to replace Sir Alex Ferguson.

Sir Alex prematurely announced his retirement at the beginning of the 2001/02 season, and the hierarchy earmarked Wenger as the ideal replacement.

It was the obvious choice at the time, with Wenger being the most sought-after coach and he proved why months later when he clinched his second domestic double in four years.

Fergie reneged on his call, probably because he didn’t want to bow out of the game as a loser – he’d go on to manage for another 11 years.

For Edwards, Wenger showed some initial interest in making the move.

“Peter (Kenyon) and I went to see Arsene Wenger, we had a couple of meetings with him – one in London, one in Paris,” Edwards told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“He seemed keen at one stage, but in the end, he decided he didn’t want to come on the basis that he felt his loyalty was to Arsenal – and particularly to David Dein.”

Asked how keen Wenger was on the move, Edwards pointed to the fact that he met with Man United twice as an indication that he was entertaining the idea.

In 2002, Wenger would’ve been Arsenal manager for just six years, which is a normal lifespan of a manager during that era.

While his love for the club was sincere, that particular deal probably didn’t go through due to his friendship with Dein, the man who’s responsible for his arrival in England.