Arsene Wenger: leaving Arsenal for Real Madrid would have been betrayal

14 August 2009 09:00
The Frenchman was courted by the Spanish club earlier this year as they searched for a replacement for the outgoing Juande Ramos, but Wenger, despite describing the offer as 'interesting', honoured his promise to Arsenal and rebuffed the opportunity of a future at the Bernabeu. [LNB]Insisting he has unfinished business with the Emirates-based club, Wenger told the Times: 'I want to go to the end of my job here. I built this team, I want to deliver with this team and I feel that if I left I would in some way have betrayed my beliefs. [LNB] Related ArticlesWenger explains why he does not 'see' foulsArsenal hit by injury blowsEverton v Arsenal match previewWest Ham look to ChamakhHleb regrets leaving ArsenalSport on television'It is nothing to do with what Real Madrid have done. I just couldn't see leaving this team at this stage of their development.'[LNB]Wenger stressed the main objective for him is to create a coherent team, rather than to try and build a side around a handful of key individuals. [LNB]'I believe in working in our job, creating connections between the players. I believe in what makes football great,' Wenger said. [LNB]'It is a team sport, a collective sport. You can win because you are more a team, or because you have more individual talent. What is interesting for me is the team ethic. [LNB]"I love Davis Cup, but I am not a big fan of individual tennis. It is when sport is about the team that I like it. I like the Ryder Cup.'[LNB]In the business for 30 years and in the hot seat at Arsenal for 13, Wenger's experience dictates that he is one of the most successful managers the Premier League has seen, and the 59-year-old attributes his longevity to passion and sacrifice. [LNB]Explaining there is very little difference between life as a player and life as a manager, Wenger added: 'Let's say that for every passion you have a great price to pay. I believe that you have to put everything on your side to be competitive. [LNB]"As a manager, you have to live like a player. The time when you could go out on the booze and have drinks is over. You cannot afford one or two days when you are not totally focused.'[LNB] 

Source: Telegraph