Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger could snub an offer to manage England due to the exclusive dynamic of international management, according to former player Robert Pires.
The French coach is regarded as the outstanding candidate to replace Sam Allardyce as the permanent boss of the national team, and is being considered by the FA.
The FA’s chief executive Martin Glenn believes English football’s most successful foreign coach would “fit the criteria perfectly”. The 66-year-old celebrated 20 years in North London this month but is yet to agree an extension to his Gunners contract, which expires at the end of the season.
Pires remains close with Wenger and since retiring has mixed training with the club with some coaching of the Arsenal senior team. He believes the sporadic nature of international management would not suit Wenger and hopes he remains at the Emirates Stadium.
“The situation is simple because Wenger is the manager for Arsenal,” he told reporters, speaking at the Leaders Sport Business Summit. “He want to go to the [training] pitch every morning but if he takes this job it is not the same. At the moment I cannot imagine Wenger for England.
“He has an obsession, it is a passion. Managing a [club] team or the country is not the same because he loves football. Maybe [he would struggle to adapt]. If you take this job you need to adapt to a new job and a new challenge but it is not really the same.
The 42-year-old added: “Lots of people want to see Arsene Wenger as the new manager of England. He has a contract with Arsenal and I don’t know what will happen at the end of the season. I understand people in England, they need a manager like Arsene Wenger. He is a great person but also a great manager.
“Wenger loves Arsenal. It would be a good opportunity for England, but I don’t know whether for Arsene Wenger. It is not the same job when you are manager for one club like Arsenal or when you are for the country. I don’t know what he wants.”
