London outfit Arsenal have their manager Arsene Wenger to thank for the place that their club holds in Europe at the moment.
The Frenchman has now entered into his 21st year of service at the club and he has done more than just get the squad to play some good football. He has managed to instill a set of values and principles at the club that have taken the Emirates outfit to a whole new level in the last decade.
The fans and the owners will be thankful for the 66-year old for his service to the club but it was not all easy for them to keep hold of their Frenchman.
Earlier this season, Wenger revealed that he has was approached for the biggest domestic job in France with PSG reportedly looking to lure him away from the Emirates.
He revealed that he had turned down 3 offers from the French outfit already out of loyalty for the club.
However, he is currently linked with the England national job with Wenger himself saying it is enticing and with the 66-year old entering his last year of his contract with the club, he might decide to take up the job come the end of the season.
But reports from Daily Mail reveal that PSG were not the only club interested in signing Arsenal’s manager.
In a recent story published on their site, the British media outfit claimed that Premier League giants Manchester United wanted Arsene Wenger to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at the club.
No, not when David Moyes did but back in 2001-02 when Ferguson decided to quit only to change his decision and stay at the club for another decade.
It is now understood that the Scottish football manager was serious about leaving the club at that time and that the Manchester United owners approached Wenger and offered him the job.
Last night former Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood said he was unaware of United’s attempt and added: “I don’t think Arsene has ever been tempted.”
Even if an approach was made, Wenger seems to have made the right choice, helping the Gunners to a famous title winning run just a season later.
Wenger has been loyal and successful at the club for two decades now but there were calls for his axe from the fans at the end of the last season.
So if he is not able to find some glory this season, he may well be ending his long relationship with the club next year.