UAE BARQ برق الإمارات – نبضك
Bayern Munich have reportedly turned down Arsene Wenger as their potential next manager.
The Bundesliga giants are looking for a new manager after sacking Niko Kovac on Sunday following their humiliating 5-1 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt – leaving them four points off the pace.
But according to German publication Bild, Wenger called Karl-Heinz Rummenigge on Wednesday afternoon to signal his interest in the vacancy at the Allianz Arena but the Bayern chairman rejected his approach.
Bild also report that caretaker manager Hansi Flick is likely to remain in charge for the rest of the season.
Speaking earlier this week on beIN Sports, Wenger expressed his interest in the job. ‘Of course,’ replied the former Gunners boss when asked if he would be interested in taking over at Bayern.
‘Coaching is what was my whole life until now. Everybody who has coached will tell you the same. You miss the intensity but some things you miss a lot, some things you don’t miss. I enjoy the things I don’t miss too much…
‘But on the other hand, football games, winning football games, preparing the team for the game, and getting satisfaction and shared emotions. That is something that you miss.
‘So of course, yes. I was responsible from 33 years of age and I coached until 69 without interuption. And at a top level.
‘It’s 36 years without stopping. Even if I miss it, to get out of that pressure for a year was not too bad for me. People who know me well say I’m more relaxed – and it’s true.’
Wenger has been without a managerial role since stepping down as Arsenal boss at the end of the 2017-18 season after a remarkable 22 years in charge of the club.
The Frenchman, who is still searching for a job at the elite level of the game, has rejected a number of job offers since leaving Arsenal including a role with FIFA as technical director.
Flick was appointed caretaker following Kovac’s dismissal, and led the German side to a routine 2-0 victory over Olympiacos in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
But a much bigger task lies ahead for Flick this Saturday evening as Bayern host title rivals Borussia Dortmund in Bundesliga.
Speaking on Wednesday night, Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said: ‘We will calmly, without pressure, choose the coach, who in our opinion is the right one. I think Hansi is the right coach for us at this moment. He is now a coach until further notice and we will see everything else.’
