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New England manager: FA seek talks with Arsene Wenger as the search for Roy Hodgson's replacement rolls on

The Football Association is in the process of arranging talks with potential candidates

Samuel Lovett
Thursday 07 July 2016 13:28 BST
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Arsene Wenger has emerged as the FA's top target for the England job
Arsene Wenger has emerged as the FA's top target for the England job

The Football Association is looking to hold talks with Arsene Wenger as the search for a new England manager rolls on.

According to the Telegraph, FA technical director Dan Ashworth is in the process of arranging talks with potential candidates as the body attempts to establish those who would be interested in taking the job.

Wenger has emerged as the FA’s top target and the organisation will be keen to touch base with the Frenchman whose contract runs out in 12 months.

With the Arsenal hierarchy poised to extend his contract – only if the club makes a strong start to the season though - and in light of their US tour which gets underway on July 28, time is now running out for the FA.

It’s likely that the 66-year-old will need to confirm whether or not he would take the job in the coming weeks.

So far the Frenchman has yet to rule out the prospect of taking on the job but nor has he expressed any interest in the role either.

Already Wenger has returned to London for the start of Arsenal’s pre-season training and many are doubtful if the coach would be willing to take on what has been described by some as the “impossible job”.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Thierry Henry made it clear that he thought Wenger would eventually turn down the job as he enjoys managing Arsenal on a day-to-day basis – something that wouldn’t happen with the national team.

"What I love about Arsene is he loves being on the field on a daily basis and if you're a coach of a national team you're not out there on a daily basis," Henry said.

"That's why I don't see that happening, but who knows?

"Arsene loves Arsenal and he's been there for a very long time. We don't see him leaving the club and we know the England role can be seen as the impossible job."

Wenger would also have to accept a large cut in wages from his current £8m-a-year contract. Roy Hodgson was on £3.5m-a-year and chief executive Martin Glenn has even suggested that the next England’s manager salary may be performance related.

Should Wenger agree to take up the England role on a permanent basis then, the FA will need to find an interim manager to oversee the national side’s World Cup qualifiers while the Arsenal manager’s contract runs down.

Gareth Southgate has been put forward as a potential interim candidate but he’s made it clear that he has no desire to take on any managerial role, either permanent or temporary.

It seems Wenger represents the FA’s best hopes of getting a coach who has both experience of English football as well as the support of fans and officials alike.

According to the Telegraph, the Frenchman would be viewed as a big coup by the majority of England fans who have been largely disappointed with the other candidates on offer at the moment.

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