Sunday 1 September 2013

Arsenal's Wenger refuses to EVER work with a director of football on transfers - Mirror.co.uk

Arsene Wenger insists he will never work with a director of football.

But Arsenal manager Wenger has admitted the transfer ­window is "a problem" for him.

The Gunners' north London rivals Tottenham, who visit the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, appointed Franco Baldini as technical director over the summer and put the Italian in charge of transfers.

The results have been spectacular, as Spurs have broken their transfer record and signed a host of new stars to make up for the loss of Gareth Bale.

Arsenal have failed with bids for Luis Suarez and Wayne Rooney, and have only landed free transfers Yaya Sanogo and Mathieu Flamini ahead of an anticipated deadline-day trolley dash.

Dick Law is meant to be Wenger's transfer fixer, but
his role is coming under scrutiny from inside and outside Arsenal.

It is often argued Wenger misses the influence of former vice-chairman David Dein, but the Frenchman will not accept any extra help.

"I would not work with a ­director of football because they buy the players and when it does not work you are guilty for not using them well," said Wenger.

"I am not against having ­people to help me buy, sell and negotiate because I cannot do it all. But I think the final ­decision always has to belong to the manager to decide who comes in and who goes out because he is ­responsible for the style of play and ­results."

Speaking to ­newspaper ­journalists, Wenger added: "It is like you write an article and someone says I will change that and that, and that.

"You should not accept that. Stand up for what you write!

"I stand up for the results of a team I have chosen. The ­manager should be responsible for the players who come in."

But when Wenger was asked whether the workload of trying to prepare his team and deal with transfers was too much, the 63-year-old conceded it can be difficult.

"I cannot deny the transfer window is a problem for me because it conflicts with a ­period where the competition has started already and I need big focus on the competition.

"It's not as easy any more because the market has become more open and international. There are more contenders, but not more players. I always want to be in a position where I do not have to buy.

"That is why I have people around me to help, but the final decision has to be down to the manager."

As Wenger attempts to convince players to join him at Arsenal, his own future is not yet certain.

Wenger's contract expires at the end of this season and
initial talks have been placed on the back-burner.

"I don't look too far ahead, I never have," said Wenger. "This job teaches you a lot about yourself and I know one thing, everywhere I have worked has been to the last day with full commitment.

"That commitment will not change. Do I go or stay? I think I have shown my commitment to this club because I said no to many, many, many, many clubs while I have been here.

"I don't need to show my loyalty."

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