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Arsene Wenger predicts the Premier League will soon see a female manager
Arsene Wenger said on Wednesday night he was “convinced” there would soon be a female Premier League manager.
The Arsenal boss also predicted those picking teams in the near future would not necessarily be football specialists, with decisions being taken by “technological analysis”.
Speaking at an FWA Live event to raise money for the London Fire Relief Fund set up in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower disaster, Wenger was asked about the prospect of there being a woman in charge of a Premier League club.
“I’m personally convinced that will happen soon,” he replied, citing the example of Corinne Diacre at French second division club Clermont Foot.
He added: “I’m convinced in 10 or 15 years it will not necessarily be a football specialist who is a manager of a club.
“You will have so many scientists around the team that who will bring out the team to play on Saturday will be more management specialists than football specialists.
“Because the football decisions will be made by technological analysis.”
In a wide-ranging panel discussion, Wenger gave more detail about the negative impact uncertainty over his own future had on Arsenal’s results last season.
“At some stage, the players came to see me and said, ‘What’s going on boss?’” said the 67-year-old, who did not sign a new contract until the end of the campaign.
“I created, with me not deciding, a lack of clarity in the dressing room and there’s nothing worse than that in the dressing room.
“At some stage, I had to tell them, ‘Look guys, I’m with you, but we have to win games’.”
Asked who he would like to succeed him when he eventually leaves the Emirates, Wenger said: “I would like somebody who comes in gets the club to the next level.
“I just want to make sure that the guy that comes in after me is in a condition that he could work well.”