Bayern Munich President Reveals Attempts To Land Arsene Wenger

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has revealed the club have tried to lure Arsene Wenger to Germany ‘a few times’ over the years but the Frenchman has always remained loyal to Arsenal, according to Sky Sports News.

Arsenal will try to do the impossible on Wednesday night as we travel to Munich looking to overturn a 3-1 deficit from the first leg of our Champions League last 16 tie, but we could very-well have been facing Arsene Wenger in the opposite dug-out if Hoeness got his way.

The Bayern supremo revealed that he went to Nice to meet with Wenger before he opted to go to Japan back in 1995, and claims he’s tried to sign the Frenchman on several occasions since but the boss has always stayed loyal to Arsenal.

“We did try to get him at Bayern Munich a few times,”

“Even before he went to Japan (in 1995), Franz Beckenbauer and I went to Nice and discussed with him and everything was clear, but then at the end of the day he decided to go to Japan.

“We were very surprised. From Japan he went to Arsenal and over the years, whenever we were looking for a new coach, Wenger was always one we considered.

“He’s a very serious person, very strong and has a very good idea about the game.

“There have been a few moments where we have discussed his name over the years.

“He has always remained loyal to Arsenal which is fantastic behaviour. But it is true we wanted him at Bayern a few times.” Hoesness is quoted as saying by Sky Sports

It goes to show just how highly regarded Wenger is throughout Europe, even before  his time at Arsenal. Many fans will remember the ‘Arsene Who?’ headlines when he was first appointed back in 1996 but it seems he was well known to some of the European super-powers well before he made his name at Arsenal.

It was a bold move by Arsene to turn down Munich in favour of a switch to Japan but also shows how well we did in luring him to north London just 12 months later. However, it’s also nice to hear that the boss has turned down a huge job like Bayern Munich to stay with us over the years. In a world where loyalty is at a premium, we should be thankful for what we’ve got at times.