Arsenal news: Arsene Wenger refuses to rule out replacing Roy Hodgson as England manager, saying: 'Why not?'

The Frenchman, who will celebrate 20 years in charge of Arsenal in September, is out of contract at the Emirates at the end of next season

Arsene Wenger (Getty)

Arsene Wenger has admitted for the first time that he will not rule out managing England, but insists he will not break his contract at Arsenal in order to succeed Roy Hodgson.

Wenger, who will celebrate 20 years in charge of Arsenal in September, is out of contract at the Emirates at the end of next season and has yet to commit to a new deal at the club.

The Frenchman is regarded as an ideal candidate for the England job by Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn, but an initial readiness within the FA to appoint an interim manager in order to wait for Wenger has now subsided with the realisation that a permanent appointment is the most sensible option in order not to jeopardise England’s hopes of qualifying for Russia 2018.

But Wenger, speaking to Bein Sports in France admitted he is no longer averse to managing England.

“Could I manage England, why not?” Wenger said. “I would never rule that out, but I am happy and focused in club football.

"England is my second country. I was absolutely on my knees when England went out against Iceland. I couldn't believe it.

“But when you watched the game you could sense, after 60 minutes, that the worst could happen. Did they panic or were they tired? I don't know, but England couldn't find an answer to what Iceland posed.

"I have one more year to go with Arsenal and I have been with them for a long time. I have always respected all my contacts [throughout my career] and will continue to do that.

“What will I do after that? Honestly, I don't know."

USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann and Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce are currently the bookmakers’ favourites to succeed Hodgson, with Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe regarded as an outsider.