Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger set for sensational return to management within weeks, says Emmanuel Petit
ARSENE WENGER will make a sensational return to management in the very near future, according to close pal and Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit.
The Frenchman has been out of work since the end of last season when he quit the Gunners following a record 22 years.
The 69-year-old struggled to keep Arsenal in the Champions League in his final seasons at the Emirates, but he is refusing to retire.
Petit has revealed he has been told by Wenger during a dinner conversation in Dubai he would be coming back to the dugout soon.
And he has hinted at a stunning switch to Bayern Munich, taking over from under-fire Niko Kovac as his side struggle behind Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.
Asked if he is going to retire, Petit replied: “No. He is going to manage soon. Yes, soon.
“I had a conversation three weeks ago when I was in Dubai. He was with a friend of mine.
“There are big rumours in France about him taking over as Bayern Munich manager.
“Some of them said he is going to go to Madrid, I don't believe in it. Some of them said there is big things at Paris Saint-Germain as a sporting director.
“You've got big names there. Can you imagine if you put Arsene Wenger there? I don't believe in it.
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“I still believe Arsene is passionate about the field, working with the players. This is something really important for him.
“It's vital, so I don't see him working in the offices. He could, he has the knowledge and the intelligence to do that. He still has experience to give on the pitch.”
Petit, 48, insists it was the right time for Wenger to leave but he has learned from his failings.
He added: “What happened with Arsenal gave him a big kick up the a***.
“It was meant to be. It was even a bit too late but I think that was good for him. Now he does not have the security and he has had to take a step back.
“He has to think 'what was missing, did I do everything right?' Just like a player after a game. I know him very well and he has done that.
“I'm sure he knows exactly what was wrong. Even when he is almost 70-years-old that will serve him as an experience.
“They needed a change. Even Arsene knows it. He knows that after 20 years at the same club and frustrating years.
“It's like living with your wife, after a while things are not the same way. It was like a divorce, but it was meant to be.”
Emmanuel Petit is a Paddy Power ambassador. Read more of his thoughts ...