The Performance Center, 1988, George Weah… Our Complete Interview with Arsène Wenger | OneFootball

Present at the celebration of the 100th anniversary of AS Monaco, the former coach of the Rouge et Blanc, French champion in 1988, took the time to share his best memories in the Principality.

He is one of the most successful coaches in the history of the Club. He is also the one who gave a European dimension to AS Monaco, helping the team participate in their first epic runs on the continental stage. Present at the Centenary celebrations against Montpellier in September, Arsène Wenger sat down to talk about his best moments in the Principality. 🎙️

Hello Arsène. To begin with, how does it feel to be back here, with a brilliant new Performance Center?

I am happy that it has changed so much, for the better! I recognize the place, because the Rock is still there (smile)! But everything else has developed considerably, and today AS Monaco is at the level of the biggest clubs in terms of the quality of its infrastructure and training center. It is important to be able to attract the best players and keep them if possible.

I want to remember that everyone has always been happy to be at AS Monaco, that there is a family spirit, a feeling of pride in being part of the Club and representing the Principality. (...) I also remember a desire for a sense of class in behavior and this desire to play quality football, resolutely focused on offensive play.

It is absolutely necessary these days, whether for individual progression or for that of the team, to have such quality facilities as well as recovery and preparation facilities as is the case. We must offer c ongratulations, because we can often think short term in this profession, so we must respect people who are thinking more long term.

You were at the beginning of this professionalization of high-level football, especially at AS Monaco. What do you remember from your years at the Club?

The advantage of looking back is that we forget the bad memories, we only keep the good ones (smile)! I want to remember that everyone has always been happy to be at AS Monaco, that there is a family spirit, a feeling of pride also to be part of the Club and to represent the Principality.

I would say that we were even somewhat in the shoes of a national team, especially since at the time there were only two foreign players in the squad. French players have always been attracted to Monaco. I also remember a desire for a sense of class in our behavior and a desire to play quality football, resolutely focused on offensive play.

Was President Jean-Louis Campora the one who oversaw these values ​​when you were in charge?

Yes, that’s true, because he was ambitious, he wanted to win and therefore be given the means to do so. He put us in the best position to be able to stay at the top table.

It’s remarkable, especially as when George Weah arrived here in Monaco, he was totally unknown at 23 years old. Nobody had heard of him, and he had never played at a high level. This ultimately shows that at any age, you can learn very, very quickly, and that if you are really ambitious, you can progress.

A strategy that paid off, since you were crowned champions in your first season on the bench…

Yes of course, there was that title in 1988, but also two Coupe de France finals, one lost and the other won in 1991, as well as a Cup Winners’ Cup final and a Champions League semi-final.

We had a European run every year, and when I arrived, AS Monaco had never made it past the first round in a European competition. Now it’s a different story, and I hope that this season the team will go far in this Champions League.

You managed some great players during your time there. What does it mean to you, in hindsight, to have notably coached a future Ballon d’Or winner?

It’s remarkable, especially as when George Weah arrived here in Monaco, he was totally unknown at 23 years old. Nobody had heard of him, and he had never played at a high level. This ultimately shows that at any age, you can learn very, very quickly, and that if you are really ambitious, you can progress. That’s what George did! We had some very great players at AS Monaco, even before my time.

But in my time, it’s true that players like Glenn Hoddle and George Weah stand stand out a little. But it is also because the Principality is a place conducive to this sort of work, individual expression and player development. There is a form of protection, sheltered from the media noise and upheavals. I think that this has helped a lot in the development of certain players.

Is this also why AS Monaco has produced so many great players?

Exactly, because they can develop quietly and benefit from a form of patience. When you have a bad run of form, you lose confidence very quickly and certainly here it is mitigated by the environment, unlike what happens in other places.

We are proud to have trained them here in Monaco. Especially since for a player like Lilian Thuram, it was not easy, because he came here as a midfielder and ended up making a career as a defender, while Emmanuel Petit became very famous by playing in the heart of midfield.

You personally gave debuts to Emmanuel Petit, Lilian Thuram and Thierry Henry. Do you feel like you helped the beginnings of what we saw in France 98?

Yes, a little! In the sense that we are proud to have trained them here in Monaco. Especially since for a player like Lilian Thuram, it was not easy, because he came here as a midfielder and ended up making a career as a defender, while Emmanuel Petit became very famous by playing in the heart of midfield.

As a result, a change of position can often be a trigger in a career, if you play in the position that suits you best. Fabinho, this is great example, who developed into a great midfielder after starting as a fullback.

What memory do you particularly want to remember from these years in the Principality?

Certainly my first match here against Marseille, where we won in front of a full stadium in August. That remains the turning point for me. Then I keep a memory of tenderness and gratitude towards this club, because it gave me my first chance at the very highest level and allowed me to launch my career. I repeat, I only have good memories here!

A last word for the Monaco supporters, who have kept you in their hearts?

I thank them! And I hope that they will have had some good times with me, and that they will have many more in the future.