Arsene Wenger would find the life of being England manager too tedious to be tempted away from Arsenal, according to former Gunners midfielder Robert Pires.
Standard Sport understands that the Football Association are interested in luring the 66-year-old away from the Emirates at the end of the season - when his Arsenal contract expires - with Wenger yet to decide whether he will extend his 20-year stay at the club.
Last week Wenger admitted to being “flattered” by speculation linking him with a move to international management but Pires, who remains a presence around Arsenal’s training ground over a decade after leaving the club on a free transfer, doubts whether Wenger could cope without day-to-day work.
“I speak with Arsene Wenger every morning and we haven’t spoken about this,” Pires said at the Leaders In Sport Business Summit. “Of course a lot of people want to see him manage England and they certainly need a manager like him. Everybody knows he’s a great person and a great manager.
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“It would be a great opportunity for England, I don’t know if it would be for Arsene Wenger. It’s not the same job, club or country.
“This guy loves the pitch every morning. It’s a passion. It’s an obsession. It’s not really the same when you manage a country.
“If he takes this job he would need to adapt to the new challenge, it’s not really the same.”
For Pires though, the right choice is apparent to Wenger.
He should stay with Arsenal and look to improve a side that have shown themselves to be both more skilful and, if late winners against Southampton and Burnley are anything to go on, luckier than they have been in previous years.
“I hope he will continue with Arsenal. Arsenal need Arsene Wenger.”
Pires added: “Something has changed with Arsenal, they are more mature. On Sunday as well they were lucky. Sometimes that’s what you need.”
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