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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger reportedly turned down an offer to coach Real Madrid, and was the only man to do so.
The claim comes from former football agent Marc Roger, who told L’Equipe (translation via Daily Cannon) that between 2001 and 2003 Madrid attempted to court Wenger away from the Emirates, only for Wenger to back out of a potential deal and remain with the Gunners.
Speaking of the talks held between Wenger and the La Liga giants, Roger said:
“He [Wenger] used to speak to two agents only; Santos Marquez and me.
“After the Makelele transfer [to Chelsea], there were some meetings organised with Vieira and especially Wenger.
“It was his [Perez’s] dream to hire him. But Arsene, who has the mindset of a youth training coach, did not want to go there.
“He is the only man in the world who refused to manage the Real Madrid with Roberto Carlos, Figo, Zidane and Beckham. And he took a lot of time to refuse the offer.
“We started the meetings in 2001 and in 2003 we were still discussing and negotiating.
“In the last meeting in January or February 20003, only Valdano came as Perez did not believe it would happen anymore.”
Roger was the agent for several top Arsenal stars, including Thierry Henry and Patrick Viera, so he’s a more than reliable source when it comes to Wenger’s career.
It’s weird to think about what might have been had Wenger moved away from the Emirates, but the Frenchman has remained loyal to the club despite being tempted by Madrid in the early 00’s. Though the club has certainly experienced their highs and lows under his leadership (and in recent years there have even been fans who have called for him to be removed from his post), there are very few managers in football who have remained as indebted to their club as Wenger, which is why he’ll be celebrating his 20th year with Arsenal next year.
