Arsene Wenger open to becoming England boss: This is when he would take over

ARSENE WENGER is ready to consider the prospect of becoming England manager next summer.

Posted Thursday, September 29, 2016 by Dailystar.co.uk

Starsport understands the Arsenal boss is interested in taking charge in the build-up to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The FA were keen on Wenger this summer, wanting under-21 boss Gareth Southgate to be interim boss while they waited for the Frenchman to replace Roy Hodgson.

Southgate was not keen on the proposal, but the former Middlesbrough manager has performed a U-turn following the departure of shamed Sam Allardyce and agreed to take charge for the next four games.

He has already added Chelsea assistant boss Steve Holland to the England backroom staff, while Sammy Lee and goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson will stay on.

But no decision has been made about Craig Shakespeare, the coach from Leicester who was also brought in by Allardyce.

Starsport has already disclosed how 66-year-old Wenger - who celebrates 20 years as Gunners boss on Saturday - is preparing to make this his last season with the north London club.

Bournemouth’s talented young manager Eddie Howe has already been earmarked as Wenger’s successor.

The Emirates club are conscious Wenger could leave in the summer when his current contract expires, particularly if the England job is waiting for him.

It is believed they are keen on Howe NOT getting the Three Lions job as they see him as the coach who could carry Wenger’s football values.

Arsene Wenger open to becoming England boss: This is when he would take over
THE BOSS: Wenger is open to managing England

If Wenger does take on the job - seen as one of the toughest in football - his first game would be a World Cup qualifier against Scotland at Hampden Park on June 10 followed by a friendly against the country of his birth in Paris three days later.

Qualifiers away to Malta, home to Slovakia and Slovenia and a trip to Lithuania would follow.

In June Wenger appeared open to the idea of being England boss when he said: “I have a contract until 2017 with Arsenal and I have always respected my contacts, but I do not yet know what I will do afterwards.”

What was clear yesterday was Wenger would not be breaking his contract with Arsenal prior to next summer, so England will have to wait - which would mean Southgate having to stay in charge for one more game than the agreed four, the qualifier at home to Lithuania on March 26.

Former Gunners chairman Peter Hill-Wood said last night: “The idea of Arsene becoming England manager now is a lot of nonsense, because he doesn’t break his contracts.”