Wenger names his heir

61 and 15 at the Arsenal. Arsène Wenger arrived in north London in 1996. Had previously garnered titles in France, leading to Monaco. Hence, as competition became known as the Japanese to train the Nagoya Grampus Eight. Won the trophy most important and oldest in the country Japan: Emperor's Cup. They also met a player who wondered: Dragan Stojkovic. Yes, the same as with two goals sent us home in Spain - Yugoslavia World Cup 90. The same train to Nagoya today, following in the footsteps of his master Arsène.

Think of a Wenger Arsenal sounds without extravagance. As bizarre as the name of his successor. The coach himself has drawn Stojkovic gunner as his natural replacement. In style and game design, said the Frenchman. They shared clothes as coach and player in Nagoya. Today football share ideas from different benches. One from a European power and the other from that of an anonymous Asian .

"His philosophy of football is almost identical to mine. Our ideas are the same and we both strive for the perfect football, "Wenger told the Serbian daily Vecernje Novosti. Undoubtedly a brutal letter of recommendation for someone without experience in a championship class. Little joke. Stojkovic can boast of having been endorsed before the whole public by the most successful coach in the history of London.

England Wenger has won three league titles and four cups. One of them without losing a single match with Arsenal that Henry, known as The Untouchables. I think Wenger path deserved and deserves a Champions League. He was close to achieving it in the 2006 final. But Barca were in front of Ronaldinho, but that day the Brazilian had a quiet performance. Even without La Romaine, Arsène enjoys the prestige and recognition as one of the greats of the Old Continent.

The honors matter is clear. But sometimes it has more form. It seems that football Stojkovic is very similar to his mentor. "I knew Dragan going to have their teams playing attacking football with a lot of passes. He has proven to be a great coach. " So Wenger spoke Serbian, who first made the champion Nagoya J-League. No matter who has not coached in a big. Does not even matter that has not trained in Europe. Arsène Stojkovic believes that is best suited to continue their style book when he retires. Do you think Wenger and the withdrawal?

In the Premier League is a different mentality to that of our league. I'm not saying better or worse, I say differently. A Spanish club managers do not shake the pulse of time to take coaches. Just a few hours ago we learned of the dismissal of Miguel Angel Portugal to the newcomer's Racing Syed Ali. Portugal is the fifth coach who fired so far this season. 22 days to be exact. Before him, stopped at the Almeria Juanma Lillo, Antonio Alvarez to Seville, Malaga Jesualdo Ferreira and Jose Aurelio Gay with Zaragoza.

In Spain, it is surprising technical career as Arsène Wenger or Alex Ferguson himself, since 1986 in the costume of the Red Devils. Ferguson was knighted for his merits to English football after the epic comeback in the Champions League final against Bayern. Our equivalent in Spain, Vicente del Bosque Marquis. But even he has had a history as long-lived in any club. Two European Cups in four seasons earned him not to continue in Madrid. And the same year he won the league, was not renewed. At the time it was said that the team needed a coach more "media" and came dressed always Queiroz. Today there is no newspaper which appears not picking up the Marquis Del Bosquea prize.

I do not think Wenger will suffer the same fate or bad luck. The Frenchman is holding the downturn of the post-Henry Arsenal. A great team with young talent, with an attractive proposition, but in recent years has lost authority in the league. Still, this season are second on four points behind Manchester's Ferguson.

It is inconceivable that Wenger may be removed someday. Not impossible. Is under contract until 2014 and the support of the fans enough to hold up when you want. When renewed in August said he did not look at the Emirates with 65. At the moment, has already taken a significant step: bring to an unknown technician as his successor. Ability as a scout has never lacked. Vieira and Fabregas are some examples. Will there be discovered in the future Stojkovic crack of the bench?

Photo | Ronnie Macdonald