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Arsene Wenger: Why I decided to turn down Real Madrid
Simon Johnson1 Jul 2009
Arsene Wenger admits he turned down the chance to manage Real Madrid this summer because he didn't want to become a big spender.
The Arsenal boss was approached by incoming Real president Florentino Perez in May but he rejected the offer of a £6million-a-year contract after holding talks with Gunners chief executive, Ivan Gazidis.
Real have since spent £80m on Cristiano Ronaldo and £59m on Kaka but Wenger is happy to have stayed at Arsenal to continue his philosophy of developing young and cheaper talent.
He said: "What Real want to do is produce what I would call a spectacle of football, a spectacular team. But when it comes to creating a team, there is another dimension that exists.
"I want to have success by building a team with a style, with a know-how, with a culture of play specific to the club and its fans and with young people. That is what I have chosen in my career and want to ensure I continue here at Arsenal.
"I am in a construction project with a young team but my intention is to take that project to the ultimate end. For me, pleasure comes from watching those players showing the football I like to see played.
"The sums we are talking about with Real can appear shocking. But they are the fruit of a calculation carried out by the investors in the club.
"I believe it is necessary to disregard moral judgement and to simply ask whether the operation will be profitable. In my opinion, to recruit more than three players in a transfer window, as Real plan, is taking a technical risk."
Meanwhile, Arsenal have released Amaury Bischoff after he failed to force his way into Wengers' first-team plans.
The Portuguese, whose career has been blighted by injury and illness, joined last summer but made only four substitute appearances and is one of eight youngsters released by the club.
Reader views (15)
i have no worries as to arsenal fc. we will be up there with the best just as long mr wenger is @ the helm, the club is on sound footing and with a buget that can only be disribe as the poorist of the top three prem clubs and there are richer below us. yes we have our dept but u dont see r hear us or anyone eles say we are in trouble the club is well managed, yes winning things would begreat but we already know we have the best guy in the footballing world to do just that and when the spoilt for a toy mega rich overseas owners have grown tired of reaching for the bankbook to keep their (here for the money only players) happy, the laugh will be on us.
- Henry Hunter, belfast, 15/07/2009 22:30
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Well put Pedro, Dubai UAE
Arsene Wenger is the greatest manager we will ever have, in my opinion. There is absolutely no one who could come anywhere Arsene's achievements for the club,with the resources at his disposal. We have a wonderful new stadium and the club are on a sound footing, as usual. The most important news is that the club this forward thinking genius at the helm. Give him £100 million and he won't spend it, he has made that clear. Come on you sceptical Arsenal supporters clammering for a change, who can do a better job with the same resources, or indeed, equal them.
Ray, London
- Ray Mummery, London, LONDON ENGLAND, 15/07/2009 21:30
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He sees footbal as sport and not as only business (money laudering). We need more guys like him to turn our planet better.
- Eduardo, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, 15/07/2009 21:30
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Great. Trust in Arsene Wenger. Come on the Gunners!
- Lester May, London, 15/07/2009 21:30
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Sorie, you say Duncan lacks vision. Well, if he does, it is nothing compared to the myopia you appear to have in common with Arsene Whinger.
You may be right about the quality of football that is played but where has that "pretty boy" approach got you in the last 4 seasons? Qualifying for the Champions' League, as you do each year, is no longer anything to boast about; it is just a reward for finishing in the top 4 - in case you haven't noticed [that nasty myopia again] Arsenal have not won anything for 4 seasons, whereas the others in the top 4 have.
There is a problem at Arsenal over money for new players, as most football web sites indicate from the words of its own supporters; the new stadium is a drain and will continue to be so for some time. It is now rumoured that Cesc Fibreglass wants out and Arshaving obviously thinks Alistair Darling's last Budget a real hoot!
If you by the expression no one can threaten them that the club is financially sound, fair enough but it is genuinely possible that the likes of Villa, Everton and Man City could provide the toughest challenge yet to that 4th spot and if the Gooners miss out on Champions' League football, even for just one season, it might be the straw that breaks a camel's back, nez pas?
- Captain Black Of The Mysterons, London, England, 15/07/2009 21:30
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Sorie you are blinkered or blind to reality. 'The Arsenal's' failings are all too apparent for those outside the club to see. The fans are the modern day Newcastle preferring great football to winning. Hopefully the same fate follows. Re your finacial state I forgot about Cashburden Grove! & how Henry Norris saved you & tarnished the name sport, bringing in corruption
- Nc, UK, 15/07/2009 21:30
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Wenger, like so many of his players past and present, lacks the bottle to take a leap of faith and try his hand in Spain or Italy. He’s got a comfy life at Arsenal so why rock the boat? As long as he keeps finishing in the top 4, everyone associated with Arsenal seems to be happy, so why should he try harder? Unfortunately, that lack of hunger is why he will always be remembered as an average manager who gambled and got lucky with a couple of good signings.
- St, London, 15/07/2009 21:30
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Wenger, like so many of his players past and present, lacks the bottle to take a leap of faith and try his hand in Spain or Italy. He’s got a comfy life at Arsenal so why rock the boat? As long as he keeps finishing in the top 4, everyone associated with Arsenal seems to be happy, so why should he try harder? Unfortunately, that lack of hunger is why he will always be remembered as an average manager who gambled and got lucky with a couple of good signings.
- St, London
Are you for real?
- Seenitall, London, 15/07/2009 21:30
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What ever is going on? Did any of these comments come from Arsenal fans. So Arsene Wenger has no bottle! Well coming to Arsenal in the first place shows that he has just that. How anyone can say he is in a "comfort zone" is beyond me. He would probably be a lot more comfortable, financially at least, if he left for the likes of Real Madrid, but thank goodness he has chosen not to. Arsenal will win another Premiership under Arsene Wenger. Depending on what statistics you want to use they were still the fourth best team in England and by reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League you can argue the third or fourth best team in Europe.I for one cannot believe that the true Gooner wants to see Arsene Wenger leave. But then its a really mad world today and its all about perception and deception and not reality. Will some one tell me who could do a better job than Mr.Wenger. At this moment in time I can't thing of anybody. Answers on a postcard etc etc.......
- Pedro, Dubai UAE, 15/07/2009 21:30
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And that is why Arsenal will never win another title with Wenger he just hasn't moved on the world has changed and he cannot see it he will lose all his big players.
Fabregas wants medals andhe won't get them with Arsenal and he knows it
- Duncan, Kent, 15/07/2009 21:30
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Duncan lacks vision and class to even suggest that Arsene does not move with the times. The football Arsenal has been playing under his management is unsurpassed. He has the record of 49 unbeaten run, spent the least money for the position the club is in, the most liked club as a second team in the premiership (if your team is not playing you will prefer to watch Arsenal for the entertaining football). Those of us who love Arsenal and understand the need for stability in the club prefer Arsenal to be self-reliant. When Abramovic leaves Chelsea for any reason (death, boredom, economic or otherwise) where will they be? Liverpool was reminded as to their financial responsibilities and one owner had to sell an asset to meet the challenge. Arsenal are so comfortable in their financial situation that no one can threaten them.
- Sorie Kamara, London, UK, 15/07/2009 21:30
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Wenger = no bottle
- Barry, London, 15/07/2009 21:30
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It pains me so much when Wenger talks of a building project. He has been building this team for the past four seasons and the project has not helped us win anything. Please someone needs to tell Wenger that the world has changed and we need better players. Surely I cant see Arsenal losing Benzema to Man U again and think we will win anything. It is very painful, can someone please tell him the world is changing daily. Charles Darwin said, "It is not the strongest nor the most intelligent who will survive but those most responsive to change. If someone would pass these comments to Wenger I would highly appreciate that. We need a very good striker and an excellent defensive midfeilder. Please stop buying cheap. I beg you Wenger in God's name buy us Benzema.
- Moyo, Borehamwood, 15/07/2009 21:30
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The main problem as i see it, is that everyone wants success TODAY, you can have that at a big price just ask Chelsea. I believe Wenger will succeed without risking bankruptesy and being a fool like Mark Hughes is now doing @ Man City , paying over inflated prices for so- called proven players comming to the end of their careers. Now lets look at what Real are doing...........driving up the prices...nothing more.So Mr Wenger you have my total support in your handling of this Fantastic club and not being dragged into this fantasy football that everyone is playing...GO THE GUNNERS!!!
- Paul, Sydney Australia, 15/07/2009 21:30
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I'm a United fan but I have to admit Arsene Wenger is a superb manager. He is loyal, level-headed and smart. He will see his project in success soon I'm sure and for him to turn down a bigger wage to Madrid shows how committed to the club he is. After the 2003/2004 season I was overwhelmed with what he can bring out in a team. I'm sure we can expect to see a repeat of that some time in the future. I don't think Fabregas will go because he is one of the main pieces of Wengers young team puzzle.
- Prettyp, Orlando U.S.A, 15/07/2009 21:30
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