Wenger insists he will not work with a Director of Football

It has been noted by this very blog that Arsenal could really use a true Director of Football. Such a figure would be able to focus on the big picture on-the-field decisions for the club and take some responsibility off of Arsène Wenger’s plate, if he were willing to work with such a person.

Well, **Arrested Development narrator voice** he isn’t. Not according to a recent interview he gave with The Telegraph.

“No. I don’t know what director of football means. Is it somebody who stands in the road and directs play right and left? I don’t understand and I never did understand what it means,” Wenger said.

He went on to say, “I’m the manager of Arsenal Football Club and as long as I’m manager of Arsenal Football Club, I will decide what happens on the technical front. That’s it.”

Frankly, this is a rather disappointing stance for Wenger to take. A Director of Football could potentially be a great asset to Wenger, and would also give the club some sense of stability and long-term vision for after Wenger decides to hang up the managerial towel.

Of course, we still don’t know whether or not Wenger will re-sign with the club. If Wenger’s status is holding up the board from pursuing a Director of Football hire, well, all the more reason that this contract saga needs to be cleared up one way or the other.

And if the club is insistent on hiring a Director of Football anyway, could this perhaps be driving some of the rumored tension between Wenger and the club? Either way, the unfortunate miasma of uncertainty still surrounds Arsenal. Hopefully we can get some sort of clarity soon.