Wenger rejects £30m China offer to become world's best paid boss
Even if he leaves the Emirates in the summer, Wenger would most likely snub any renewed offer from China in favour of taking a job in one of Europe’s top leagues. Photo: REUTERS
Arsene Wenger has rejected a stunning offer from China to make him the highest-paid manager in the world, following his revelation that he has no plans to retire, whether or not he remains at Arsenal.
An unnamed Chinese club were prepared to pay Wenger £30m a year net, twice the salary of the world's best-paid manager, Manchester City's Pep Guardiola.
The offer dwarfs the two-year extension on the table for Wenger to stay at Arsenal, which would increase his pay from £8m to around £10m a year, but the Frenchman is not tempted by the prospect of joining the Chinese football revolution.
Wenger has yet to decide whether he will stay at Arsenal past this season, with club insiders growing increasingly anxious that he will walk away. The Frenchman has insisted he is not ready to retire and will be in management next season, which sparked the offer from a club in China.
Even if he leaves the Emirates in the summer, Wenger would most likely snub any renewed offer from China in favour of taking a job in one of Europe's top leagues.
Real Madrid, who have tried to recruit him in the past, are thought to be Wenger's preferred destination away from Arsenal.
Meanwhile, former Rangers manager Mark Warburton is a surprise candidate to replace Andries Jonker as the head of Arsenal's academy. Jonker has taken over as Wolfsburg manager and Warburton is high on the list of potential replacements.
Warburton left Rangers in acrimonious circumstances earlier this month, with the 54-year-old denying claims from the club that he had resigned.
It is unclear whether Warburton would accept the academy job at Arsenal, but sources inside the Emirates believe he would be perfect for the role, and he has held talks with the club.
Should Warburton decide to hold out for a return to management, then Pep Segura, who works in player development at Barcelona, is an alternative candidate. Steve Morrow could also be considered for a promotion from head of scouting for Arsenal's academy.
Jonker has replaced Frenchman Valerien Ismael - who was sacked on Sunday - having previously been assistant manager at Wolfsburg for two years before moving to the Emirates.
He has taken with him former Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg, who was coaching the U-15s.
Sources have claimed for some time that Jonker and Wenger did not see eye to eye on a number of subjects. Jonker's departure adds to the feeling of uncertainty around Arsenal. (© Daily Telegraph, London)
