ARSENE WENGER

(Born 1949)

Coached French clubs "Nancy" and "Monaco", the Japanese club Grampus Eight. Since 1996, head coach of English club Arsenal.

One can wonder, but the profession famous coach of Arsenal, Arsene Wenger - economist. He knows six languages, including, of course, perfectly fluent in English. Improve it at Cambridge University in the late 1970′s of the last century, while on vacation. While Arsene Wenger is nearing completion of his career as a professional football player in the French club Strasbourg. Just after training in Cambridge, the only time in his career, he became the champion of France - in the season 1978-1979 years. Five years earlier Wenger graduated from the University of Strasbourg, received his PhD. However, his career was fascinated by a soccer coach.

His first "try-out" was youth team "Strasbourg", which he headed in 1981. But in his hometown of Arsene Wenger did not stay long - in 1984 moved to "Cannes" as an assistant coach. The head coach for the first time was in 1984 at the club "Nancy. " A first success in coaching career came to Arsene Wenger at the club Monaco, which he headed since 1987. The first attempt Wenger led AS Monaco FC in the champions of France, and in 1991 won the National Cup.

Photo — «Arsene Wenger»

Success could be a lot more - the 1992 Club Monaco reached the final of the Cup Winners′ Cup, but lost to Bremen Bremen. Nevertheless, Wenger has already established himself in the football world famous name. From 1994 to 1996 he worked in Japan, is actively developing science of football. Under the guidance of Wenger′s club Grampus Eight, before going on the last field, won the Emperor′s Cup and Super Cup in Japan, and the French specialist was named the best coach in the country.

And yet the real glory of "Doctor of Sciences of football" came to Arsene Wenger in the English Arsenal, which he headed in 1996. The famous, particularly before the Second World War, the club did not shine. Champion of England to "Wenger Era" last time was in 1971.

Wenger began not with the restructuring of former tactical schemes, and functional training soccer players, creating for this, as once Valery Lobanovsky, a special "research team". For each player has developed an individual training program and recovery procedures, and in addition, and a special diet. Wenger himself was engaged in a long time with each of the players, determining for themselves their strengths and weaknesses. He tried to eliminate the disadvantages, advantages develop.

Arsenal had excellent players - in the attack acted Ian Wright and Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp, was a reliable goalkeeper and then David Seaman.

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Nonetheless, many positions clearly need strengthening. And already in 1996 Arsenal appeared black Senegalese midfielder Patrick Vieira, who joined from AC Milan. In his first season Arsene Wenger led Arsenal to third place. The undisputed leader of the English game as the second half of 1990 was the Manchester United Alex Ferguson.

In the season 1997-1998, from the arrival of the French midfielder Emmanuel Petit and Dutch striker Marc Overmars, the game Arsenal has started to gain new features. Powerful look attack, a reliable defense. Nevertheless, due gaming connection has not yet been established, major victories of Arsenal alternated and defeats. In the first place was familiar with Manchester United, by September 1997 it outpaced the Londoners thirteen points.

However, at the finish of the championship, Arsenal gave a sensation. Since December Arsene Wenger′s team did not lose a single match. March 14 Arsenal beat Manchester United in his field - the only goal was scored by Marc Overmars. May 3, 1998, beating Everton, Arsenal became the early champion of England.

But it was not the only triumph of Arsene Wenger. After thirteen days, Arsenal and won the FA Cup, having won with a score of 2:0 Newcastle United. " So Arsenal boldly and swiftly broke one of the leaders of English football.

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All subsequent years were, in fact, competition between two great coaches - the Frenchman Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson, a Scotsman. In the 1998-1999 season of the year for two rounds before the end of the championship from Arsenal and Manchester United score was a tie. However, in a game with Leeds Londoners, the whole match with an advantage, managed to miss the ball on the ninety-first minute. Champion was the team Ferguson Ahead of Arsenal only on the point. In the same season, "Manchester" and won the FA Cup, and in the semifinals, he met with Arsenal and won, scoring the decisive goal in extra time.

In spring 2000, the championship of England "Arsenal" again was the second, and the Manchester United first, but this time Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of Arsene Wenger at . . . Eighteen points, becoming a champion long before the finish. The only achievement of Arsenal could be considered as reaching the final of the UEFA Cup. But the match against Turkey′s Galatasaray, held in Copenhagen, ended goalless draw, but in a penalty shootout in arsenaltsev flinch nerves. Cup for the first time in its history, went to Istanbul.

The following season Arsenal was again second, but this time not only in the championship, but the draw of the FA Cup, losing Liverpool.

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But in the first round match, showing the amazing beauty of the game, won in London, his chief opponent - Manchester United. The only goal scored converted to Arsenal from AS Monaco FC superforvard Thierry Henry. And in general the London club has been strengthened is the game of French players - midfielder Robert Pires and striker Sylvain Wiltord. Nevertheless, in the second leg in Manchester stadium, Old Trafford, Arsenal suffered a crushing defeat - 1:6.

New triumph came to Arsenal and Arsene Wenger in the season 2001-2002. Prior to his French coach took one of the most important in their life decisions. The fact that his contract with Arsenal coming to an end, and he offered no more, no less - to lead the French team, who were preparing for the World Cup. When, after some hesitation Wenger refused and signed a new contract with Arsenal, at home on him a barrage of criticism. But the London club revealed that season game of the highest class, hitting all the rapid combinations and spectacular goals.

As pointed out by experts in the game Arsenal′s nothing left of the British, rather, his style was like Ajax Amsterdam time "total football". Its nominal function is strictly fulfilled only central defenders but midfielder Patrick Vieira. All others were in constant motion, appearing at the most unlikely contender for the position.

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This season, shone Frenchman Robert Pires, Swede Fredrik Lyunberg, and Thierry Henry scored 32 goals for that in the year received the Golden Boot as top scorer in Europe.

Champion Arsenal began early, before the end of the tour, and won in Manchester, his chief rival - 1:0. Over four days before Arsene Wenger′s team and won the FA Cup, defeating in the final match against Chelsea - 2:0. Game Arsenal that season was so perfect for all standards of football that England Arsene Wenger was named Coach of the Year, while France, forgetting all the insults, awarded him the Legion of Honor - the highest award from the French.

Season 2002-2003 year was again marked by the sharpest confrontation between Manchester United and Arsenal. At this time the spoils shared "as brothers" - "Manchester" has become a champion, Arsenal won the FA Cup. In the season of 2003-2004 in the confrontation of two great clubs wedged Chelsea, the new super clubs, assembled from sverhdorogih football.

Incidentally, in France do not lose hope that one day Arsene Wenger will still coach the national team.