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18 May 2024

Arsenal boss snubs England job

Arsene Wenger believes the successor to Fabio Capello should be an Englishman. (FILE)

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By Staff

Arsene Wenger has ruled himself out of the England job and believes it should go to an Englishman.

Former England manager Sven Goran Erikkson had said Wenger who completed 15 years as Gunners boss fit the bill perfectly.

But Wenger insists it is not a job for him and acknowledged Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is the hot favourite to succeed Italian Fabio Capello after Euro 2012.

Wenger said: "For me, the national team needs an English manager and I will never change that opinion for one minute.
 
"I keep to that exact principle and I think it is important for you as well.

"If a foreign manager wins a European Championship, you will say that it is not completely an English triumph.
 
"Harry Redknapp is a candidate, he is English, he is ready, he is happy to do it and you have already chosen him.
 
"So don't doubt too much what will happen."

Asked if France would ever have Redknapp as their manager, the Gunners chief laughed.
 
He added: "Does he know the Marseillaise? Teach him that first."

Wenger does not rate England among the favourites for Euro 2012, especially now Wayne Rooney is banned for three games.
 
Yet he still would not bet against them pulling off a shock triumph.
He admitted: "I feel England are outsiders.

"They can maybe win it if they click just right at the time of the competition and their main players are in fantastic form.
 
"Steven Gerrard has not played for a long time now. But if he comes back in after a good rest in top form, then why not?
 
"And Capello has the quality to get the best out of the team. You cannot deny that."