Garde believes ‘great’ Wenger deserves more time, despite trophy drought.
Lyon boss Remi Garde says Arsene Wenger “deserves more respect” despite Arsenal’s continued trophy drought and disappointing form this season.
Garde was one of Wenger’s first signings when he took over in North London in 1996 but made just 31 league appearances in three years before hanging up his boots.
The 46-year-old has been mooted as a possible replacement for his former mentor but believes Wenger deserves to be treated with more respect, despite the likelihood of an eighth season without a trophy following Wednesday’s 3-1 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich.
“Of course I still think he’s a great manager. When you think of the number of years he’s spent at the head of the club and just how far he’s gone with them! I can talk about that as I arrived at Arsenal at the same time as him when the club had not won anything for years,” Garde is quoted as saying by ESPN.
“He’s criticised for not winning trophies, but for what he’s brought to the club, he deserves more respect for his work. We’re judged on results, but the way the judgement is formed is important, it mustn’t overstep certain boundaries.”
Garde’s Lyon side take on Tottenham in the Europa League last-32 second-leg on Thursday but Wenger might be forgiven for wishing Arsenal’s North London rivals well.
Spurs currently trail Tottenham by four points in the race for fourth place in the Premier League and qualification for next season’s Champions League and the Frenhcman must be hoping his neighbours are distracted by European football for as long as possible.
COMMENTS