Wenger: I will never be England manager

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has ruled himself out of ever being the England manager, claiming that role should always go to an Englishman.

Wenger is a hugely respected coach in England following his long and largely successful tenure at Arsenal, and has previously been linked with taking over from Fabio Capello, who will leave his post after the European Championships.

“I always said the national team needs an English manager and I will never change that [view] for one minute,” Wenger said.

“If a foreigner wins a European Championship, you will say somewhere it is not completely an English triumph.”

The Arsenal manager takes a keen interest in England’s progress and has tipped his own young Gunner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, to make a late charge into the squad for next year’s Championships in Poland and Ukraine.

“We are six months before the tournament. If in March, he has made a big step forward, why not?” Wenger said.

“The mentality kicks in now. That will decide his career. I am positive about it because he can deal with the pressure.”

Wenger was also keen to praise fellow youngster Carl Jenkinson who is still able to choose which national team he represents despite playing for Finland at under-21 level.

“His fitness is outstanding, he’s quick, he has good crosses,” said Wenger.

“He needs to adjust his defensive game but he is improving.”