It has been revealed that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger came close to moving to Real Madrid, reports the Daily Mirror.
Former Bernabeu president Ramon Calderon claims that Los Merengues tried to sign the Frenchman on several occasions, but were never able to persuade him to leave the Gunners. The 65-year-old was apparently unimpressed with the Spanish side’s propensity for buying high profile players rather than what their team needs.
“I imagine that anyone – be it a coach or a player – at some time in their career is interested in coming to a club like Real Madrid, especially when you have been at a club for fifteen years, or however long, in England,” said Calderon, “Anyone working in any other industry would be interested in change. I think it’s a good idea to have a coach who has a long-term plan.
“He was talking to me about Real Madrid and, at that time, he was very interested in the club and what was happening. I remember he said: ‘Are you going to Hollywood again, or to make a football team?’ He meant are you going for film star Galacticos or to make a proper football team.
“It’s something you have in England that is a very good thing. You have it at Arsenal, you had at Manchester United, that the manager could stay at the club for a very long time. It’s impossible here.”
Wenger has since stayed with the North Londoners, and is looking to challenge for the Premier League title with them this season. However, he has come under fire from fans, who believe that he should have reinforced more in the transfer window. Arsenal were the only team in Europe’s top five leagues to not sign an outfield player over the summer.
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This lack of investment has told in the campaign, with a loss to West Ham and draw to Liverpool putting a dent in their hopes of catching Manchester City at the top of the table. Also, their two victories, against Crystal Palace and Newcastle United, were only possible due to own goals from the opposition.