Billionaire Alisher Usmanov has stirred up more trouble for Arsene Wenger by claiming Thierry Henry should join Arsenal's coaching staff.
Arsenal shareholder Usmanov, who owns a 29 per cent stake in.
the club, says Henry has a “more important role” than just to return as a player and his comments are likely to be popular among fans.
And the ongoing power struggle at Arsenal also took another bizarre twist as honorary vice-president Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith - who sold her 15 per cent stake to majority shareholder Stan Kroenke - took to Twitter to question the US tycoon’s “passion” for the club.
Bracewell-Smith, who claims Kroenke has left her feeling like an “outsider”, said: “If making money was motivating factor, surely better ways. Football is a business of passion and SK (Stan Kroenke) has no passion for AFC.”
Gunners legend Henry, 35, and his agent Darren Dein - son of former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein - have been invited to Moscow as a guest of Usmanov, as the Uzbekistan tycoon is still trying to launch a takeover of the club.
It comes just 24 hours after it emerged that Wenger’s professional relationship with his No2 Steve Bould is under strain.
Bould is frustrated, as he wants to do more coaching work.
Usmanov, who has been battling for a place on the board, said: “I don’t have any powers in terms of decisions at the club but there are a few players with whom I am in contact. My favourite is probably Thierry Henry.
“Thierry should be involved at the club but not as a player. He has another role to play, a more important role.
“Take the example of Patrick Vieira at Manchester City. He is also a symbol of Arsenal but he is helping another club. We have to avoid that with Thierry.
“The presence of a champion can radically change the soul of a team. That’s what Thierry showed last year when he came back to Arsenal but I think that comebacks only succeed once. That’s why I think the decision to come back belongs only to Thierry Henry.”
Henry is set to rejoin Arsenal for a third time next month on a short term loan deal from New York Red Bulls.
Meanwhile, Wenger is the shock name on Real Madrid’s short-list to take over if, as expected, Jose Mourinho leaves next summer.
Wenger is under major pressure at Arsenal, but Real president Florentino Perez is a long-standing admirer and has made several moves for him in the past.
The Frenchman has consistently maintained he will never break his contract at Arsenal, and his current deal still has 18 months to run.
But Wenger has found himself facing questions about his long-term future at the Emirates as the Gunners have struggled through their worst ever start to a Premier League season.
Adios? Mourinho is expected to leave Spain at the end of the season
Elisa Estrada
Former Chelsea boss Mourinho has been widely tipped for a return to the Premier League as his turbulent reign at the Bernabeu threatens to turn sour.
That leaves the Spanish champions making plans for next season and Wenger, Paris Saint-Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti and Germany coach Joachim Low are on their three-man short-list.
Wenger has knocked back Real in the past - including strong interest last season - but Perez may feel that timing and circumstances may give them another chance.
PSG would also love to take Wenger, should he ever leave Arsenal.
Πηγη
Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια :
Δημοσίευση σχολίου