Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger will step down from his position at the end of the season, bringing to an end nearly 22 years at the club.
“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,” the Frenchman said in a statement issued by the Gunners on Friday.
Wenger, 68, has been with the North Londoners since October 1996 and is by far the longest-serving current manager in English football. His stint at Arsenal is the most successful in the club’s history.
Under his reign, the club won three Premier League titles, including going unbeaten for an entire season, and seven FA Cups. He took Arsenal into the Champions League for 20 years in a row. They won the league and FA cup double in 1998 and 2002.
Wenger’s greatest achievement was becoming only the second manager to go through an English season unbeaten when Arsenal won its third Premier League title in 2004 with its team of “Invincibles.”
Arsenal is sixth in the league standings this season, with five games to go, and can only realistically qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League. They play Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals next week.
“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,” said Wenger.
"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."
He had a contract that ran until the end of next season.
Arsenal’s majority owner Stan Kroenke said it was “one of the most difficult days we have ever had in all our years in sport.
“One of the main reasons we got involved with Arsenal was because of what Arsene has brought to the club on and off the pitch,” he said.
“His longevity and consistency over such a sustained period at the highest level of the game will never be matched.”
“Everyone who loves Arsenal and everyone who loves football owes him a debt of gratitude."
The club said a successor would be appointed as soon as possible with German Thomas Tuchel, out of work since leaving Borussia Dortmund almost a year ago, installed as the early bookmakers’ favorite.
"We have high ambitions to build on Arsene's remarkable tenure and to honor his vision by ensuring that Arsenal competes for and wins the biggest and most important prizes in the game," Kroenke said.
"We must now focus on making a strong finish to the season and ask our millions of fans around the world to join us in paying appropriate tribute to one of the greats of Arsenal's history and one of the greats of the game."
News of Wenger’s departure drew a flood of tributes and reaction from throughout the game.
"He is above Herbert Chapman and all of the guys who won trophies," former goalkeeper Bob Wilson told the BBC, adding that he was "shell-shocked" by the news.
"Arsene is not only the greatest manager in Arsenal's history, he has personally changed the face of the game in this country."
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he respected the decision: "He is an influence in football. Had a fantastic career. Outstanding personality," the German told reporters.
"He was there for so long, 22 years is a long time. Maybe in the last few months not everybody was happy with this result or that... he was the dominating guy in the mid 1990s, 2000s."
Former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman said it was a sad day for the club.
"Can we now give him the send off/respect he deserves," he asked on Twitter.
