Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been appointed as FIFA’s new chief of global football development.
The world football governing body made the announcement on their website on Wednesday.
Wenger, 70, accepted the offer more than two months after it was first reported, and one week after being approach by Bayern Munich about the German champions vacant head coach job.
He will oversee the rules-making panel known as IFAB, coaching programs and technical analysis of games at FIFA tournaments.
The French coach effectively replaces Marco van Basten who was FIFA technical director until October 2018.
“I very much look forward to taking on this extremely important challenge, not only because I have always been interested in analysing football from a broader perspective but also because FIFA’s mission as world football’s governing body is truly global,” Wenger said on his appointment.
“I believe that the new FIFA we have seen emerging in recent years has the sport itself at the very heart of its objectives and is determined to develop the game in its many different components. I know I can contribute to this objective and will put all my energy into this.”
Wenger has worked as an analyst for broadcasters since leaving Arsenal last year after 22 seasons.
He led the north London side to three Premier League titles, seven FA Cups, and was beaten finalist in the 2006 Champions League and 2000 UEFA Cup against Barcelona and Galatasaray respectively.
Discussion about this post