Arsenal: Sir Alex Ferguson’s defense of Arsene Wenger has holes

Arsene Wenger’s tenure at Arsenal is certainly winding down, but Sir Alex Ferguson is urging supporters to not wish Le Prof gone so soon.

There was a time when the Premier League was blessed with two of the greatest managers of all time, fighting it out in the most competitive league in the world every year. I am, of course, speaking of Arsene Wenger at Arsenal and Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

Their rivalry budded out of mutual respect and a fierce determination to outdo the other one. The two were so similar that there was no choice but to respect each other. And now that Fergie is done with his coaching days, he has flown to the defense of Wenger. Here’s what he had to say, as quoted by the Metro:

"At the moment, of course, with the ridiculous situation of the pressure Arsene is under, I just wonder if they realise the job he’s done. The most amazing thing about him is this: he has come through a forest of criticism for months now, and has never bowed. He has seen it right through, he has shown a determination, a stubbornness. I think when you look at that, it’s a quality, and I’m not sure they’ll get another manager like that."

He went on:

"It’s quite easy to say ‘Get rid of him’, but who do you get? Who do you get in to keep that club the way they are for the next 20 years? I really feel sorry for him because I think he’s shown outstanding qualities, and I think he has handled the whole situation. I don’t know many that have done that."

And finally:

"Has long-termism vanished? I hope not, because I think the stability that a manager like Arsene Wenger has brought to Arsenal, and Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest, myself at United…there’s no evidence that sacking a manager brings success."

All in all, it’s hard to argue with the greatest manager the Premier League has ever seen. But there is one flaw in his argument. Part of the reason that Gooners want Wenger gone is because they know his tenure is coming to a close. And seeing as how the team really isn’t getting better, they want him gone sooner rather than alter.

That way the club can get on with the next phase and with getting back on track. Obviously nothing is a guarantee with the next manager. He might not be the right choice at all and he wouldn’t love Arsenal like Wenger does. But when the era is coming to an end and the team is dropping down the table, supporters can be forgiven for wanting the era to end.

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The other issue I have with what Fergie said is that bit about how there is no evidence that sacking a manager brings success. To a certain extent, he’s right. There are so many sackings every year and very rarely does anything happen.

But look at the Premier league winner the past two years. Both have been new managers. And while Claudio Ranieri was sacked the following year, far too early, that isn’t how the Gunners do business.

Besides, top tier managers, like Massimiliano Allegri or Diego Simeone, aren’t going to see the team to midtable. They are far too experienced and talented. They are there to win and win they would.

The modern game is much different these days, but instant gratification doesn’t really factor into this. I can understand the want to oust Wenger simply because it’s coming soon anyway and you don’t know what managers will be available when Wenger finally decides to call it quits.

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It’s admirable that Fergie has done this and there is a lot of merit in what he is saying. Wenger deserves the utmost respect, but that doesn’t mean we can’t think about what other managers might bring to a club that is so rich in talent.