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Arsene Wenger: I could go on for another 20 years
Michael Hart, Evening Standard15 Feb 2008
Arsene Wenger shudders at the mere thought of retirement. He's 59 this year and when I suggested he might be ready for a quieter life in a French village - pavement cafe, glass of Pernod and a copy of L'Equipe - he recoiled with a defiance that would have impressed Sir Alex.
Quelle horreur! Retire? Moi? He was having none of it. There is still much unfinished business on the Wenger agenda and every day presents a new challenge. Next up, for example, is Ferguson's Manchester United in the FA Cup at Old Trafford tomorrow.
The Frenchman, who combines a respect for tradition with a love of innovation, retains a deep affection for the FA Cup.
He's won it four times and, it seems, fully expects to win it four more times before he finally retreats to rural France to write his memoirs. When will that be?
"I don't set myself limits," he replied. "One morning, maybe, I will get up and think 'I don't want to do this today' but it hasn't happened yet.
"My life has been football, football, football. I couldn't change. I've had opportunities in the past to consider other things, to go into television, for example, but each time I realised that I couldn't live without football.
"My spirit and enthusiasm is exactly as it was 20 years ago. It might be the same 20 years from now. What I do accept is that you need fitness and energy to do the job I do. That's not guaranteed for anyone.
"I also realise you need a kind of animal force. To motivate people you need the hunter's animal instinct. You must want to win. When you're a young manager your animal instinct is strong but your knowledge is small.
"With age the balance changes - the animal instinct shrinks and the wisdom becomes dominant.
"Then you get to the stage when you have only wisdom. That's when you have to say goodbye. Then, of course, you might lose wisdom also. When that happens you have a problem!"
No such worries inhibit the scholarly Frenchman, whose 12 years at Arsenal have been the most successful in the club's illustrious history. Apart from the four FA Cup triumphs, his Arsenal teams have won the Premier League title three times, reached the Champions League Final and become the first to complete an entire 38-match League season unbeaten.
A fourth Premier League title is a distinct possibility this season and that, along with another tilt at Europe's top prize, keeps thoughts of retirement on the back burner. "Life is only interesting if you have targets," Wenger insisted.
"You have got to look forward. That's what keeps me going. If I look back it is only to appreciate the innovators of the past. If we live well today it is only because people in the past were innovators. Centuries ago innovators were ridiculed and some died for their beliefs. Galileo was considered a heretic. But he was right, wasn't he?
"I try to make my players innovators. I want them to look forward with enthusiam. I'm fortunate in that I have players who love to train. I couldn't work with players who didn't care. But if you work with people who have a passion you can help them improve and move forward.
"I like them to have targets. We can all improve can't we? I read that Fabio Capello believed that the technique of England's players could improve.
"That must be a target for all players. But I don't think it's a big weakness in the England team. In my opinion players like Lampard, Rooney, Gerrard and Owen have very good technique."
All Wenger's sides have been blessed with technically accomplished players, though he has always placed great emphasis on the strength of the team as a unit.
"I believe there is something magical about a successful team because it is more than just the sum of the qualities of 11 individuals," he explained.
"For me, individual sports don't have the same magic. Of course I admire Tiger Woods but he's simply more talented than anyone else. But you can get 11 average footballers and once they are together for a while they develop a magic ingredient. That is the element that makes some teams stronger."
After two seasons without a trophy, Wenger once again has a team with the magic ingredient. The goals of Emmanuel Adebayor have helped propel Arsenal into a five-point lead in the title race and tomorrow they go in search of the fabled domestic 'Double' when they meet a stuttering United in the tie of the fifth round.
Ferguson, Old Trafford boss for 21 years, is the most successful manager in English football history and his enduring rivalry with Wenger has been a motivating factor in the success of both men.
"In the last couple of seasons the competition between us has been diluted because Chelsea entered the equation," said Wenger. "But this season we're back on top with Manchester United and I'm happy about that. Despite what you might read, my relationship with Alex is okay, but the rivalry is intense.
"I'm a big admirer. He's older than me but why shouldn't he work on?
"Alex's achievements at Manchester United have been exceptional. He's built a dynasty. But I wouldn't expect to be compared to him when I retire. I would just like to be remembered as the guy who did his best for his club."
