Source: Daily_Mail
EXCLUSIVE: England's 2018 World Cup bid team want Frenchman Wenger
Respected: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger[LNB]Arsene Wenger is being targeted for a lead ambassador's role by England's 2018 World Cup bid team in a bid to inject new impetus into the campaign.[LNB]There are those on the board who want to go even further, however, by asking the Arsenal manager to be the bid's figurehead. [LNB]The bid directors have been considering names who could give their efforts a higher profile as the European challenges of Russia and Spain gather pace. [LNB]The Arsenal manager, who saw his team suffer a surprise 1-0 defeatat Sunderland yesterday, has emerged as a leading candidate, with hisworldwide reputation an undoubted asset.[LNB]The problem for theboard, The Mail on Sunday understands, is their concern about how itmight be perceived if an overseas figure became the face of the bid,even if it would play well abroad.[LNB] 'Wenger's name was suggested by one board member and it is being considered, but other members worry about how it might look,' said a source close to the board, which could be expanded from the current seven to nine in the next fortnight.[LNB]'It should be a no-brainer. Wenger has changed the face of English football and is almost an honorary Englishman these days. He is also hugely respected around the world. Having him fronting it would make a lot of sense.'[LNB]Indeed, the Frenchman, 60, remains well known in Asia, having managed in Japan, and after signing players from all around the world, notably South America and Africa, enjoys celebrity on those continents, too. Wenger is close to UEFA president Michel Platini.[LNB]He is a vice-president and one of eight Europeans on FIFA's 24-manexecutive board - along with England's Geoff Thompson - who will choosethe host nation in December next year.[LNB]The Russians and Spanishwill select their bids, but could be persuaded to back England in asecond round of voting should they go out in the first. Platini alsohas the ear of FIFA president Sepp Blatter.[LNB] Close: Arsene Wenger and UEFA President Michel Platini[LNB]England's bid has come under attack, not least from another FIFA vicepresident, Jack Warner of Trinidad and Tobago, for being leaderless and lacklustre. In response, Lord Triesman, the bid's chairman and independent chairman of the FA, announced a reshuffle of his bid board, reducing it from 12 to seven, bringing in Thompson but jettisoning Richard Caborn, the Government's 2018 World Cup ambassador, and sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe.[LNB]I understand the FA's chief operating officer Simon Johnson and the bid's new director of communications, Simon Greenberg, who starts work a week tomorrow, are also likely to join the board with more moves planned before Christmas.[LNB]It has all still left the bid without a charismatic face, and Triesman has again been criticised as a politician and bureaucrat rather than a football man. It is believed Wenger could be that face without interfering with his work at Arsenal, though he would need persuading. It could be why Triesman has hired the former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein as an adviser to the bid.[LNB]Dein remains friendly with Wenger and, I understand, has been hosting Triesman on his boat in Turkey this weekend. It is understood the two have been meeting Turkish FA president Senes Erzik, another on the FIFA executive committee.[LNB] William Gallas has got a ticket to ride: Irish fans are quick to forgive French star on the EurostarSunderland 1 Arsenal 0: Darren Bent strikes to stun Arsene Wenger's menLampard tries placenta cure: Chelsea star in bid to be fit for Arsenal clash [LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People:Gerry Sutcliffe, David Dein, Arsene Wenger, Simon Johnson, Simon Greenberg, Jack Warner, Geoff ThompsonPlaces:Spain, United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, Turkey, Africa, Asia
