Wenger tells trigger-happy chairmen to show more patience

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has called for Premier League chairmen to show more patience after the quick-fire sackings of Luiz Felipe Scolari and Tony Adams this week.

Scolari was axed by Chelsea just seven months after taking charge at Stamford Bridge, while former Arsenal captain Adams lasted only 16 league games before being dumped by Portsmouth.

Wenger, who is the Premier League’s second longest serving manager behind Manchester United’s Sir Alex Ferguson, is convinced his peers must be given time to settle into a job before being judged.

He was especially disappointed to see Adams lose his job. Adams won the league twice with Wenger but struggled to stamp his authority on the Portsmouth post after replacing Harry Redknapp.

“I believe that Tony will be a very good manager and I don’t believe he was given the needed time,” Wenger told the Arsenal’s website.

“It is a big surprise that so quickly they made a big decision because when they made the decision to give him the job they knew he has worked there for a year-and-a half and they knew him.

“When you give a young manager that much responsibility you have to give him time.”

Wenger admitted he was shocked to hear Scolari had been sacked earlier, but he is impressed by the west London club’s decision to appoint Guus Hiddink as the Brazilian’s replacement until the end of the season.

“Scolari is a well-known manager and was only given six months,” he said.

“It is difficult to know what is the atmosphere inside the club when you don’t live there every day, but it is still a massive surprise.

“However you know when one super manager is sacked at Chelsea, another super manager will come in.

“I rate Hiddink highly. He has been tremendously successful everywhere. He has had a long career and he’s a strong personality.”

Chelsea have dropped down to fourth in the table following a poor run of form in the final games of Scolari’s reign, and are now only five points ahead of Arsenal in the race for the Champions League.

Wenger, though, feels his men must concentrate on improving their own performances rather than worry about what might happen elsewhere.

“I believe we should focus on our way to be successful and not too much on the others,” he said.

“We need outstanding performances until the end of the season and the only way to achieve that is by focusing on our performances.

“If Chelsea gain points Aston Villa will drop, it is all linked together – but if we are consistent we will be there.”