On this day in 2018, Arsene Wenger announced he would step down as Arsenal manager at the end of the season after almost 22 years in the role. (More Football News)
Appointed in September 1996, the Frenchman had presided over a glittering period in the club바카라s history which yielded three Premier League titles, the last of them famously secured by his 바카라Invincibles바카라, who went through the 2003-04 league campaign unbeaten.
In addition, former Nancy, Monaco and Grampus Eight boss Wenger guided the club to FA Cup glory on seven occasions and secured 20 successive seasons of Champions League football during a reign spanning 1,235 matches, 828 of them in the top flight.
However, his announcement came amid mounting disquiet over the club바카라s showing in both the Premier League and Europe, with three FA Cup successes in four years failing to placate his critics.
Wenger said: 바카라After 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.
바카라I 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.바카라
Majority owner Stan Kroenke paid tribute to the man who had gone toe-to-toe with Manchester United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson and Chelsea바카라s Jose Mourinho.
Kroenke said: 바카라This is one of the most difficult days we have ever had in all our years in sport.
바카라One of the main reasons we got involved with Arsenal was because of what Arsene has brought to the club on and off the pitch.
바카라His longevity and consistency over such a sustained period at the highest level of the game will never be matched. Arsene has unparalleled class and we will always be grateful to him.바카라
Wenger, described by Ferguson as 바카라without doubt one of the greatest Premier League managers바카라 and by former Gunners skipper Tony Adams as 바카라the greatest Arsenal manager바카라, bowed out after a 1-0 final-day victory at Huddersfield on May 13, 2018.
The 68-year-old said afterwards: 바카라I feel that I got a lot of respect not only from our fans, but from England. I would reiterate I loved English football, but I also learned to love England. You do not stay 22 years if you don바카라t like it.바카라
