Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has spoken about a potential return to management and appears to distance himself from any Newcastle link, but leaves the door slightly ajar for an approach.
Wenger’s comments from an interview with France 24 have been reported by the Chronicle, and while he does not seem set for an immediate return to the dugout, he does suggest it will happen.
Asked about the Newcastle job, and whether a return was on the cards for him this season, Wenger reportedly said: “Not in the near future no. I am still not ready to go back.”
That would suggest that he has no plans to put his name forward for the vacant post at St James’ Park.
It also could mean that he has not received an offer that interests him, and if that is the case, he could yet be tempted if Newcastle were to have genuine interest.
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Wenger did not rule out a return to the Premier League
He is open to a Premier League return, as well as other leagues, with the Metro reporting the Frenchman as saying: “Well I would prefer to try another country, although my preferred time was in England because the Premier League is the place to be at the moment.
“But for me it is very difficult because I was for so long at the same club. But why not?”
It would be interesting to see what Wenger would do if Newcastle were to make a formal approcah for him, and whether his stance would subsequently change.
But most of the names that have been linked with the role seem to be younger managers, which would see a move for 69-year-old Wenger unlikely.