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Dein: Wenger Is A Wizard

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Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein says he always knew Wenger would one day manage the club.

‘The very first day I met Arsene at Highbury during 1989-1990 season, I was convinced one day he would become the club’s coach,’ Dein told L’Equipe.

‘Of course, he was charming and very intelligent, but above all he has a clear ability to adapt. The day we met for the first time, we had a dinner at my friend’s house, after the dinner we played mime.

‘It was not that easy as he didn’t speak English like he does today. However, he did his best and worked hard to make himself understood.

‘At that moment I knew Arsene was an unconventional man.

‘It was difficult, I fought to convince the board that Arsene was the right man to become the coach, even if he was unknown here in 1996. Arsene had to do the same with the players but he never fretted and straight away achieved to make his message heard.

‘Imagine a Frenchman, looking like a philosophy teacher, coming to the training ground to impose his ideas on Tony Adams, Martin Keown and David Seaman. If those players had not immediately trusted him, it could have become much more complex.’

‘In ten years, Arsene has built a training centre and a new Stadium. He’s started several players’ careers, and has created three different winning teams.

‘And above all he crafted an attractive and unique style of football for Arsenal.

‘Arsene is a wizard.’

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