The most successful manager of Arsenal and English Premier League history, Arsene Wenger’s net worth is estimated at £72 million.
Arsène Wenger was born in Strasbourg, Alsace-Lorraine, France, on October 22, 1949, to Louise and Alphonse Wenger.
With Alphonse managing Duttlenheim’s football team, Wenger began playing for FC Duttlenheim at 12 and made the first team at 16. With no proper coach, he began coaching Duttlenheim.
Learning the tricks of the managerial trade under Max Hild while playing for Mutzig (1969) and ASPV Strasbourg (1975), Wenger also studied medicine followed by Economic and Management Sciences at the University of Strasbourg (1971). In 1976, he represented France at the World Students Championship.
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As Hild’s protégé, Wenger scouted for RC Strasbourg’s reserve team (1978), while simultaneously playing for the first team and helping them win the first division (1978-79).
An English language course (Cambridge), plus a coaching certificate at Strasbourg’s CREPS led to Wenger earning his manager’s diploma in Paris (1981).
After a coaching stint with Cannes in Ligue 2 (1983) and Nancy in Ligue 1, (1984), Wenger joined Monaco.
Monaco won Ligue 1 in 1987-88, and was runners-up and winners at the 1989 and 1990 Coupe de France, respectively. After making finalist at the 1992 European Cup Winners’ Cup, subsequent poor standings saw Wenger exit Monaco (September 1994).
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Soon, Japan’s Nagoya Grampus Eight hired him as manager (December 1994) for ¥75 million per annum. Bottom-of-the-table Nagoya shot to second position in 1995 presenting Wenger with J.League Manager of the Year. In 1996, Nagoya conquered both Emperor’s Cup and Super Cup.
Wenger joined Arsenal in September 1996. His introduction of dieticians, plyometric exercises and control on Arsenal’s alcohol consumption paid dividends—Arsenal stood third that season.
In 1997-98, Arsenal won the Premier League and the FA Cup, making Wenger the first non-British manager to accomplish an English ‘double’.
After Arsenal’s runners-up performance in 1998-99, Nicolas Anelka (bought for £500,000) was sold to Real Madrid for £22.3 million and Wenger signed up Thierry Henry.
Season 1999-2000 saw Arsenal take second spot at the UEFA Cup, Premier League and FA Cup.
Following another League runners-up (2000-01), Wenger steered Arsenal to a second Premier League and FA Cup ‘double’ (2001-02).
In 2002-03, Arsenal surpassed Nottingham Forest’s 22 successive away league successes, while retaining the FA Cup.
Recording a 100% win result, Arsenal clinched the 2003-04 Premier League—an achievement executed 115 years ago by Preston North End.
The following season, Arsenal recorded 49 consecutive league wins, but Chelsea won the League. The FA Cup, however, went to Arsenal.
In 2005-06, Wenger guided Arsenal to their first UEFA Champions League final and, in 2007, led a team averaging 21 years to the League Cup final—the youngest in a major English cup final.
Wenger, who became the longest-serving Gunners’ manager—outlasting George Allison—in October 2009, subsequently led the club to three more FA Cup triumphs (2014, 2015 and 2017). This was Arsenal’s seventh FA Cup under Wenger (its 13th overall), making him the most successful manager in Cup history—beating George Ramsay. Wenger’s contract has been extended until 2019.
The Arsenal boss’ accolades comprise Légion d’Honneur (2002), OBE (2003) and a bronze bust—courtesy Arsenal’s board of directors (2007). Astronomer Ian Griffin named an asteroid ‘33179 Arsènewenger’ and a stadium—Stade Arsène Wenger—was inaugurated near Strasbourg (2016).
Wenger’s other awards include: World Manager of the Year (1998), Premier League Manager of the Season (1998, 2002 and 2004), Onze d’Or Coach of the Year (2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004), LMA Manager of the Year (2001-02 and 2003-04), English Football Hall of Fame (2006), France Football: Manager of the Year (2008) and IFFHS World Coach of the Decade (2001-10).
Speaking French, German, English, Italian, Spanish and a little Japanese, “Le Professeur” has authored a book, Shōsha no Esupuri—The Spirit of Conquest (1997).
After his sports company LA Promotions closed shop (2014), Wenger reportedly made £3.5 million.
A football consultant for French TV station TF1 (2004-2014), Wenger has been working for beIN Sports since 2016 and is also brand ambassador for Castrol. His annual Arsenal salary is £8.3 million. (Sportune, express.co.uk, and caughtoffside.com)
Separated from his wife Annie Brosterhous (2015), Wenger lives in a £5.6 million mansion in Totteridge. They have a daughter—Lea.
