Arsene Wenger to leave Arsenal at end of the season

Widely credited with revolutionizing English football, Arsene Wenger is to leave his long-time role as Arsenal manager at the end of the season.

The 68-year-old Frenchman has been at the north London club since 1996.

He is the longest serving manager still in the English Premier League, but has been under pressure in recent years from a disgruntled section of fans.

“After careful consideration and following discussions with the club, I feel it is the right time for me to step down at the end of the season,” Wenger wrote in a statement on the Arsenal website.

“I am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years. I managed the club with full commitment and integrity.

“I want to thank the staff, the players, the directors and the fans who make this club so special.”

Currently sixth in the Premier League, Arsenal is 14 points off fourth place – the top-flight’s last Champions League qualification slot – but faces Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semifinals next week.

Victory in that competition would qualify Arsenal for next season’s Champions League.

“I urge our fans to stand behind the team to finish on a high,” added Wenger. “To all the Arsenal lovers take care of the values of the club. My love and support for ever.”

- Source: CNN " data-fave-thumbnails="{"big": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/180420153651-vieira-wenger-bustop-trophy.jpg?q=x_52,y_236,h_1177,w_2092,c_crop/h_540,w_960" }, "small": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/180420153651-vieira-wenger-bustop-trophy.jpg?q=x_52,y_236,h_1177,w_2092,c_crop/h_540,w_960" } }" data-vr-video="false" data-show-html="" data-byline-html="

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Updated 12:27 PM EDT, Fri April 20, 2018

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READ: Who will replace Arsene Wenger as Arsenal manager?

‘Unparalleled class’

When Wenger arrived in England he was only the third overseas manager to coach a Premier League team.

He introduced new ideas about nutrition, training and tactics and established a track record for signing players who became global stars, notably Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie.

Nicknamed the “Professor” – Wenger has a degree in economics – the Frenchman also played a pivotal role in the building of Arsenal’s new training ground and the move from Highbury to their new state-of-the-art Emirates stadium in 2006.

“This is one of the most difficult days we have ever had in all our years in sport,” said Arsenal’s majority shareholder Stan Kroenke in a statement.

“One of the main reasons we got involved with Arsenal was because of what Arsène has brought to the club on and off the pitch. His longevity and consistency over such a sustained period at the highest level of the game will never be matched.

“Arsène has unparalleled class and we will always be grateful to him. Everyone who loves Arsenal and everyone who loves football owes him a debt of gratitude.”

Arsene Wenger —

After being appointed as Arsenal's manager in 1996, Arsene Wenger went on to have a huge impact on the club and English football. He introduced new ideas about nutrition, training and tactics and established a track record for signing players who became global stars. But later in his career, after a decline in performance and a failure to qualify for Champions League, Wenger faced pressure from disgruntled fans.

Before Arsenal —

The Frenchman joined Arsenal in 1996 after managing Japanese club Nagoya Grampus Eight. Twenty years after his brief stay in Japan, Wenger's influence still echoes, following its rise from a backwater of world football to one of its emerging powers.

Strengthening the side —

Wenger began changing the culture of Arsenal almost immediately, although not without some player resistance. He changed players diets -- where he famously banned them from chocolate and replaced the cafeteria's menu from burgers to fish, chicken and vegetables. He also applied a tough training regime and emphasized the importance of ball control.

Double win —

In 1998, it all paid off. Wenger became the first foreign manager to win both the Premier League title and the FA Cup. He went on to repeat that double again in 2002.

History repeats itself —

Open top bus parades began the norm for Arsenal fans, this one taking place in 2002.

The Invincibles —

The 2003-2004 team earned the nickname "The Invincibles" after it went through the Premier League season undefeated -- with 26 wins and 12 draws.

New, young players —

In years to come, Wenger would attempt to rebuild and renovate his team. In 2003, he signed Cesc Fabregas -- who became Arsenal's youngest ever played at the age of 16.

New, young players —

At the end of the 2003-2004 season, he also signed Dutch striker Robin Van Persie for ￡3 million -- who once said Wenger was the best manager in the world.

Invicible days over —

Arsenal's unbeaten streak of 49 games was over in 2004, after being defeated by Manchester United. This would be the beginning of Wenger and Arsenal's downfall, with the 2005 FA Cup being the last major trophy they'd win for almost a decade.

Champions League controversy —

There were still highlights, though. In 2006, the team reached the final of the Champions League but lost 2-1 to Barcelona. Arsenal led for much of the match before conceding two late goals. The first-half sending off of Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann made the task all the more difficult.

Champions League controversy —

Lehmann was visibly distraught as he left the pitch after fouling Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o.

Struggles —

Years passed and fans hope faded. Wenger struggled to hold onto key players, and lost the likes of Fabregas, to Barcelona, and Van Persie -- who joined rivals Manchester United.

Shiny stadium, no trophies —

Wenger played a pivotal role in the building of Arsenal's new training ground and the move from Highbury to their new state-of-the-art Emirates Stadium, which opened in 2006. However, the funding for the new stadium -- which cost ￡390 million -- set Wenger back, forcing him to be adopt a conservative approach in the transfer market. So while the team had a shiny new football ground, they were left without any new trophies.

Nine-year drought —

Then finally, after a nine-year drought, Arsenal won silverware once again after beating Hull City in a gripping 2014 FA Cup final. Arsenal players carried their French manager as they celebrated after the match.

Silverware —

Over 250,000 fans turned out to watch the team's open-top bus parade through Islington.

Time to say goodbye —

In the years that followed, though, Wenger continued to face fan backlash. "Thanks for the memories," one sign read, "but it's time to say goodbye."

Wenger Out —

Eventually, "Wenger Out" banners started appearing all over the world, this one was spotted at the annual rugby sevens event in Hong Kong.

End of an era —

Then, finally, after 22 years, Wenger announced on April 20 that he would leave Arsenal. "After careful consideration and following discussions with the club, I feel it is the right time for me to step down," he wrote in a statement.

Arsene Wenger: The man who was once invincible

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Under Wenger Arsenal won the Premier League title in 1998, 2002, and 2004 and clinched seven FA Cups, including three of the past four seasons. Arsenal won the league and FA Cup Double in 1998 and 2002.

The 2003-2004 team was nicknamed “The Invincibles” after it went through the Premier League season undefeated – with 26 wins and 12 draws.

Arsenal has only once finished outside of the Premier League’s top four (it was fifth in 2017) since Wenger took over.

However, European glory has eluded the Gunners. Arsenal was runner-up in the UEFA Cup in 2000 and beaten finalist in the Champions League final in 2006.

It failed to qualify for this season’s elite European competition and hasn’t reached the Champions League quarterfinals since 2010.

READ: ‘Wenger out’ campaigners get their wish

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Updated 12:27 PM EDT, Fri April 20, 2018

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Arsenal icon David Seaman on Wenger departure

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‘Greatest manager’

Former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman said it was the right time for Wenger to go but urged fans to “respect what he’s done.”

“It’s time for everyone to get behind him now and show Arsene Wenger their appreciation because he’s had such a massive impact on the club,” Seaman, who won two Premier League titles under Wenger, told CNN World Sport.

“When he came to Arsenal we were successful but we played in quite a negative way… he let people express themselves, he brought out a whole new way of football, not just to Arsenal but to England as well – the way we trained, relaxed, massages… a lot of other clubs have got Arsene Wenger to thank for that.”

Tony Adams, captain of Arsenal’s two Double-winning sides, said on Instagram: “Thanks for everything Arsene. Move over Herbert [Chapman], Arsene Wenger the greatest Arsenal Manager.”

Fabregas said the manner of Wenger’s departure “shows the great dignity and class of the man.”

“I will never forget his guidance and support, his tutelage and mentorship,” he wrote on Instagram.

“He had faith in me from day one and I owe him a lot, he was like a father figure to me who always pushed me to be the best. Arsene, you deserve all the respect and happiness in the world. #classact”

Van Persie tweeted: “Thanks Arsene for all your confidence in me over the years. You are a very special man & a top coach! Definitely one of the very best ever! I will always see you as my footballing father where under your guidance I had the chance to grow as a man and a player, i’m forever thankful for that and wish you all the very best for the next chapter in your life!”

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who enjoyed a fierce rivalry with Wenger, said the Frenchman’s impact on the game in England and worldwide “has been immense.”

“It’s been an incredible journey for Arsène, during which he has maintained the highest levels of professionalism throughout,” Ferguson said in a statement in his role as a member of the League Managers Association.

“He has been in charge of one of Britain’s greatest football clubs for over two decades and has produced some fantastic teams. His longevity shows that continuity can bring great success.”

Wenger will be remembered “as one of the greats,” former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov told CNN World Sport.

“For me it always a pleasure to play against Arsenal, against a team of Wenger. They were always going to try to play football, football in its purest form,” the Bulgarian told the show’s anchor Alex Thomas.

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Updated 12:27 PM EDT, Fri April 20, 2018

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Ex-Manchester United and England international Gary Neville wrote on Twitter: “Arsene Wenger built the best teams that I played against in English Football .The 98 team was Amazing.

“The biggest compliment is that he played football that made us change the way we played against them. He now deserves the most incredible send off from all in the coming weeks.”

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said of Wenger: “He is an influence in football. A fantastic career, outstanding personality. A big player in the business.”

Arsenal said it will name a replacement “as soon as possible.”

Kroenke added: “We have high ambitions to build on Arsène’s remarkable tenure and to honour his vision by ensuring that Arsenal competes for and wins the biggest and most important prizes in the game.”

Born in Strasbourg, Wenger began his career as a player in France, followed by managerial stints with AS Nancy, AS Monaco and Nagoya Grampus Eight in Japan before joining Arsenal.