Wenger reveals his grand vision

ARSENE WENGER dreams of the culture he has established at Arsenal long outlasting his reign as coach and has compared himself to Johan Cruyff, the iconic former Barcelona coach whose style of play still informs the Spanish side today.

Wenger, who earlier this month became Arsenal’s longest-serving boss after 13 years in charge, also explained his reasons for turning down an approach from Real Madrid last summer and tipped his young side to win the Champions League this season.

In an interview published in today’s edition of L’Equipe Magazine, the Frenchman went on to use Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson as the ideal example of how he would like to continue coaching into his 60s.

And although Wenger, whose Arsenal side face Birmingham at the Emirates today, is showing no signs of slowing down at the Emirates Stadium, his spell in charge has clearly given him pause for thought about his legacy.

“I have a philosophy very close to that of Johan Cruyff,’’ he said. “He showed he was a real manager. He left the club and his football culture survived. I am not dreaming about being immortal, but at that level a coach becomes like a guide for the future. He gives something that will be used as a reference when the club is looking for its identity.

“When a manager stays a very long time at a club, he must leave this imprint. This is what I dream of doing.

“It would be unforgivable to have the privilege of longevity to not leave anything behind me. Of course, to achieve this, we must win the Champions League, because big victories legitimate the culture of the club.’’

Success in Europe remains Wenger’s holy grail, as its absence is the only blip on his CV.

Last season Arsenal were beaten by then-holders Manchester United in the semi-finals, but Wenger is convinced that his side can improve on that this season.

“My team is ready to reach the Champions League final, and why not win it?’’ he asked. “We have more chance than last year because we have more mental strength.’’

Wenger’s fervent belief in his project was enough to repel the advances, not for the first time, of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, who wanted the Frenchman to coach the newest galacticos at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“Real Madrid was the club of my youth,’’ Wenger said. “When I was a kid, just to see those guys all kitted out in white winning everything.... It’s a club that attracts me, of course, but I have a pact with the young players in my team and I want to see that through. I have identified what is most important for me in my job: freedom. Here, I have it. Had I gone to Madrid, I would have to show my philosophy, change things in depth, to reorganise what I could have, to give the club some foundations.

“That wouldn’t have prevented me from buying Cristiano Ronaldo or Kaka, but Real are a team based on player investments, while they also have a tradition of playing a beautiful game.

“We have to do what Barcelona managed with their young players: create a culture. Barcelona has done it better than Madrid, making more efforts with the young players. A real manager works on the present and future ­ and on what they will leave the club when they depart.’’

And Wenger, who turns 60 next Thursday, is hoping to emulate his old rival, 67-year-old Ferguson, who had his most successful period as a boss after turning 60.

“I would sign up now to win what Sir Alex Ferguson won between the ages of 60 and 65,’’ Wenger admitted.