Will317
07-10-2004, 08:01 AM
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed he will decide his long-term future in October after turning down the chance to coach Germany.
"I am under contract with Arsenal until 2005, and I plan to fulfil that contract," he said.
"Our season is due to start in four weeks' time, and in any case my club would not let me go.
"In October, I'll decide what to do after that. At the moment I am not free and not available."
Wenger's decision to delay talks on a new contract extension at Highbury is bound to alert Europe's clubs.
Other than Germany, the Frenchman has also been courted by the likes of Real Madrid.
But Arsenal are hopeful that Wenger, who has won three league titles during his eight-year tenure at the club, will stay on to oversee the Gunners' move to their new £400m stadium at Ashburton Grove.
And Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood insisted on Thursday that Wenger would extend his contract and had a job for life at the club if he wanted it.
Hill-Wood said: "Arsene is fully committed to Arsenal, there is no doubt about that.
"He has played an integral part in our plans for the new stadium and he wants to see that through.
"He wants to help the club grow and get stronger and that is why I am totally convinced he will stay for years to come."
I definitely think he's staying too, he's been here a while and built up good relations, and then there's the fact that there's still things he wants to acheive with Arsenal.
"I am under contract with Arsenal until 2005, and I plan to fulfil that contract," he said.
"Our season is due to start in four weeks' time, and in any case my club would not let me go.
"In October, I'll decide what to do after that. At the moment I am not free and not available."
Wenger's decision to delay talks on a new contract extension at Highbury is bound to alert Europe's clubs.
Other than Germany, the Frenchman has also been courted by the likes of Real Madrid.
But Arsenal are hopeful that Wenger, who has won three league titles during his eight-year tenure at the club, will stay on to oversee the Gunners' move to their new £400m stadium at Ashburton Grove.
And Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood insisted on Thursday that Wenger would extend his contract and had a job for life at the club if he wanted it.
Hill-Wood said: "Arsene is fully committed to Arsenal, there is no doubt about that.
"He has played an integral part in our plans for the new stadium and he wants to see that through.
"He wants to help the club grow and get stronger and that is why I am totally convinced he will stay for years to come."
I definitely think he's staying too, he's been here a while and built up good relations, and then there's the fact that there's still things he wants to acheive with Arsenal.