Arsenal: Bullish Arsene Wenger not helping time of change

Arsene Wenger has stated that he doesn’t know what a director of football does. His bullish attitude is not helping a time of change at Arsenal.

There will come a time when Arsenal will no longer be managed by Arsene Wenger. Like Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson before them, it will be a difficult and unusual period of adaptation for the club, a club that has been moulded in the image of one man for over two decades.

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And while Wenger may like to work as someone who has total control of all the goings-on and the mechanics of the organisation that he manages, trying to hire someone who has the ability to replicate such an individualised and influential role is nigh on impossible. Managers nowadays come into an organisation that is structured in a way where they are asked to solely manage the team, rather than everything else that comes with a football club.

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And now Wenger has had his say on working with people like a director of football. When asked about the possible implementation of people to help running the club, Wenger ridiculed the suggestion, claiming that he has total control of how the organisation is managed:

"“I don’t know what director of football means. It is somebody who stands in the road and directs play right and left? I don’t understand and I never did understand what it means. I’m the manager of Arsenal football club and as long as I’m manager of Arsenal football club I will decide what happens on the technical front. That’s it.”"

While his bullish, near-stubborn attitude has helped the club mightily throughout the 21 years that he has been at the helm, there comes a time where Wenger must shift his perspective, and thus his decision making, from his own reign and to the future of the club beyond his departure.

What is so surprising about Wenger’s comments and his outlook, is that throughout his time in North London, he has always acted in a way that prioritises the long-term future and prospects of the club. Rarely has he made a decision for short-term gain or instantaneous success.

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A director of football, and other figures like that, may not benefit Wenger himself during the latter stages of his tenure. But they will aid with the time after him, a time that is quickly coming to this club. Wenger may be bullish about his methods, but he must learn to be adaptable in aiding the time of change for the football club.