Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger declares Dragan
Stojkovic as his successor
Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger has announced Dragan Stojkovic as his replacement at the North London based club when he finally decides to call it a day.
Like many legendary managers, who opt for the unorthodox move of choosing a successor to lead their beloved club on the road to success, Wenger has sought a similar fate for the Gunners.
Many experts consider this as a selfish act; giving unnecessary power to the managers. Nonetheless, if a manager has led a club to great heights then technically he does have the right to opt for his successor. Whether or not the
new manager will be as successful as his predecessor was, after the transition, is something no one can be certain of.
The 45-year-old Stojkovic shot to fame in football while playing with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Red-Star-c40350 Belgrade and Marseille. While playing as an attacking midfielder/shadow striker he has capped 417 times and scored 159 goals.
The Yugoslavia international was also the star of his nation, wearing the skipper’s band for a long time. 1994 onwards, he started playing for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Serbia-c3002 too, only to end his run with the club and country in 2001. He took up the managerial
role at http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nagoya-Grampus-c39993 Eight in 2008 and ever since he has been associated with the Japanese football club.
Fondly known as Piksi, Stojkovic is currently heading Nagoya, where he served as a player under Wenger back in 1995. The Frenchman Wenger uttered great words of appreciation for the manager, showing great regard for him.
In a press release, Wenger clarified on the issue regarding his speculated resignation and the new manager, “I would love Stojkovic to be my successor, there are a hundred reasons for that. Our ideas are the same and we both strive
for perfect football. I knew he was going to have teams playing attacking football with many passes. He has done that, showing he will be a great coach.”
Stojkovic is currently in contract with the Japanese outfit. Last season, he acquired the Japanese League title with Nagoya. He also picked up the J-League MVP award in 1995. Both Wenger and Stojkovic share an almost identical
philosophy when it comes to football.
Rumours of Wenger’s replacement erupted last year when the former Nagoya coach declared that he might be leaving the Gunners, “What is important is that the club is in good hands, whether they are mine or someone else's. Whether
I personally leave on a positive or negative note is a little bit less important.”
Nonetheless, there is evidence to prove a theory contrary to that of Wenger leaving the London club. Wenger signed a new contract with Arsenal in August 2010 that will keep him at the club until 2014; however, the 61-year-old manager
claimed that in four years time he would most likely be switching careers unless he feels as rejuvenated as he does these days.
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