Former Arsenal coach, Frenchman Arsene Wenger said his final goodbyes to a full house last night at the Emirates Stadium. The 68-year-old transitioned from a short stint as a player to coach after his retirement from football in 1981. He since took on the role as Arsenal’s coach in 1996 and has served as the club’s longest-serving coach. In his 22 years of service, there are a couple of lessons to learn from one of football’s most iconic coaches in recent history.
Here are 4 takeaways to apply, to take your career to the next level:
1. Do not be stubborn
When life hands you lemons, endeavor to make lemonade out of it. Make an effort to look for other solutions outside of yourself. Being stubborn sometimes can only pull you back. A common quote, ” only idiots refuse to change their minds” supports this fact. If Wenger was keen to include others to restore the Arsenal to success, the club would have recovered much quicker and instead of continuing to deteriorate.
2.When in a bind, change tactics
Arsene Wenger may have been Arsenal’s longest-serving coach, however, it is important to appreciate the game of football has grown over the years. A change of tactics is essential to improving one’s work ethic, it allows for benchmarking and encourages growth. New tactics require a new outlook on the task at hand. Do not cage yourself to the same old tricks, change tactics and embrace the outcomes.
3. Create your own formula
Under Arsene Wenger’s leadership, Arsenal won 49 games consecutively and 3 League titles. He made his own formula for success that lead Arsenal to a memorable unbeaten streak. In life, it is important to find what works for you, what will bring out the best within your team as well as what will bring you the wins. Sometimes this will cause you to create your own formula. Own it, and learn to apply it and when needed feel free to change it.
4. Never give up
In his emotional goodbye speech, Wenger had lots to say about the game he hoped to create for the fans of Arsenal. According to The Independent, he said, “my ambition was always to win with style.” The English Football Hall of Famer has had a difficult end to his Arsenal story. However, he tried every trick in the book, restrategized constantly but to no avail. If there is nothing else we should learn from Wenger’s time at the Gunners, it should be to never give up.
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