In life, it is known that sacrifices are inevitable and Arsene Wenger, a 68-year-old Frenchman and manager of Arsenal team for nearly 22 years, is no exception to this. He is a man of regret who believes that his decision to stay in the team may have been the biggest mistake of his career.
Wenger admitted his obsession in ensuring Arsenal’s success on the pitch but also conveyed that sacrificing “everything†for the job is regrettable.
He was quoted as saying, “I’m someone who likes new things, likes change. But I also like challenges. I was a little bit of a prisoner to my challenge each time.â€
“I regret having sacrificed everything I did because I realise I’ve hurt a lot of people around me,†he added.
“I’ve neglected a lot of people. I’ve neglected my family, I’ve neglected many close ones. Deep down though, the obsessed man is selfish in his pursuit of what he loves. He ignores a lot of other things. But it’s a bone to chase at the same time.â€
Wenger announced to French outlet RTL during his interview that decisions on his future will have to wait “in the next few monthsâ€
Arsene Wenger believes in Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira’s qualities to succeed at the top level in their pursuit for coaching careers. Both aspiring coaches have started with their few steps as Vieira has recently became Nice coach while Henry, assistant to Belgium boss Roberto Martinez at the World Cup, has quit his Sky Sports role to focus on becoming a manager.
However it is known to Wenger that the sacrifices in his personal life were the hardest parts of being a manager, he therefore, forewarn the French pair of similar sacrifices that are involved in following a coaching career.
“Often, I’m asked if Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira will be good managers and I always answer yes,†he said.
“They have all the qualities; they are intelligent, they know football, they have excellent skill sets, but do they want to sacrifice what needs to be sacrificed to do only that? It’s an obsession which bounces around your head day and night.â€