Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has backed Arsene Wenger despite supporter unrest.
LONDON, United Kingdom, June 3 – Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has put his faith in Arsene Wenger and suggested the Frenchman’s future is in his own hands.
Wenger, who has been at the north London club since 1996, has one more year remaining on his current Sh1.16 billion (£8million) one-year deal at the Emirates Stadium.
And despite there being unrest among sections of the Arsenal faithful, Gazidis has stated the club are happy with the 66-year-old.
Gazidis, speaking in an interview with the Daily Telegraph, said of Wenger: “The reason we have Arsene as our manager is because our board believes he can deliver success.
“If either of us didn’t believe that we would not be constrained by nostalgia or longing; we would have to make a change. Arsene would understand and support that. But it’s just not how either side feels. We feel we are on a good path.”
The 66-year-old Frenchman will decide his own future and the club will know when he will leave, says Gazidis.
Gazidis has admitted the club is starting to think about the club’s long-term future due to Wenger’s age as a succession plan needs to be in place.
He added: “The reality is we wouldn’t leave things until the last minute. I’m comfortable both that if Arsene is going to extend we will know that and if, whenever that is, he is going to come to an end, that he will give us the time that we need to prepare for that transition.
“The relationship with Arsene is very deep. It will be done behind closed doors and we will have our transition plans well worked out.”
Arsenal, who have failed to win the Premier League since 2004 and finished second last season, have made an early move in the summer transfer window by signing Granit Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach.
Supporters will get a first glimpse of the Switzerland international at this summer’s European Championship in France.
