Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will leave the club at the end of season, the Frenchman said in a statement issued by the Premier League club on Friday.
Wenger out! It's actually happening this time
"After careful consideration and following discussions with the club, I feel it is the right time for me to step down at the end of the season," he said.
"I am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years. I managed the club with full commitment and integrity. I want to thank the staff, the players, the Directors and the fans who make this club so special.
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) 20 April 2018
"I urge our fans to stand behind the team to finish on a high. To all the Arsenal lovers take care of the values of the club.
"My love and support for ever."
No details have yet been given as to who the successor may be.
The reaction on social media was immediate #wenger
Arsene Wenger is to leave @Arsenal at the end of the season. He has given much of his life to Arsenal. He has brought much success to the club. He has given much to the game of football in our country. Merci et bonne chance, Monsieur Wenger. #Wenger
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) 20 April 2018
Arsene Wenger built the best teams that I played against in English Football .The 98 team was Amazing.The biggest compliment is that he played football that made us change the way we played against them. He now deserves the most incredible send off from all in the coming weeks.
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) 20 April 2018
'A role model, an influencer and very, very successful'
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) 20 April 2018
Jürgen Klopp pays tribute to Arsene Wenger: https://t.co/cPl5F3QQrD pic.twitter.com/rUjQ83eQ5O
Prediction: Arsenal fans will soon have persuaded themselves that the Emirates remained a bower of love and affection for their greatest manager, that nobody ever carried a Wenger Out sign or screamed abuse at him and that it was the media that did for him.
— Oliver Holt (@OllieHolt22) 20 April 2018
Adieu Arsene. It has been some journey. A piece trying to put some perspective on football’s last big relationship. https://t.co/A43PEXySCx
— Amy Lawrence (@amylawrence71) 20 April 2018
#MerciArsène pic.twitter.com/bjP0wLMgee
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) 20 April 2018
David Dein invited 9 of us correspondents into Highbury board-room to meet #Wenger in 96. Arsene spoke for 50 mins, and we were spellbound by his attacking philosophy, belief in nutrition (broccoli!) & obsession with #afc as a community club. A visionary had arrived. 1/10
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) 20 April 2018
