| Arsène Wenger (b. October 22, 1949 in Strasbourg, France) is the current manager of the Arsenal football team.
He began playing amateur football as a defender for various amateur clubs before making a professional debut for Strasbourg
against Monaco in 1978. Although Strasbourg won the French league in 1979, Wenger did not feature prominently in the team. In 1981, he obtained
a manager's diploma and was appointed the coach of the Strasbourg youth team.
Wenger's managerial career only took off when he became the manager of AS
Monaco in 1987. Although he was successful with the club, he was sacked in 1994 when Monaco finished ninth in the league. He
moved on to a successful spell with the Japanese J. League team Nagoya Grampus Eight. On
September 28 1996, Wenger joined Arsenal.
On October 10 2000, he received a fine and a 12-match touchline ban from the Football Association for "threatening behaviour
and physical intimidation" to a match official during Arsenal's defeat at Sunderland on August 23.
Under his guidance, he led Arsenal to 3 championship titles (including two doubles) in the space of 7 years in charge. Also renowned as a great thinker, or 'professor', he is highly
respected as a coach throughout Europe, although Arsenal have yet to be called the truly great side without winning the Champions League.
He has also, some say, made Arsenal a major contender again for the Premiership, and has been responsible for bringing such
world class players like Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires to the club. He
is also well known for his rivalry with
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.
He was awarded an honorary OBE for services to
British football in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in 2003.
In October 2004, Wenger signed a contract extension that will keep him at Arsenal
through the 2007/2008 season.
Clubs
Honours
- Player
- Strasbourg
- French league champions: 1979
- Manager
- Arsenal F.C.
- FA Premier league champions: 1998 2002 2004
- FA Cup: 1998 2002 2003
- Two league and cup "Doubles"
- Undefeated in league for 2003/04 (first club to do so in England's top division in 115 years)
- Nagoya Grampus Eight
- J-League Cup: 1996
- Emperor's Cup: 1995
- J-League Manager of the Year: 1995
- AS Monaco FC
- French Cup: 1991
- French league champions: 1988
- French Manager of the Year: 1988
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