Switzerland dreams of Arsène Wenger as its new national coach after the departure of Vladimir Petkovic, reports Blick. According to the Swiss newspaper, the 71-year-old Frenchman, who is employed by FIFA, is a serious option for the suddenly vacant vacancy at nationality.
The Swiss have to look for a replacement for Petkovic, who unexpectedly signed with Girondins Bordeaux on Wednesday. Petkovic experienced an extremely successful European Championship with Switzerland, in which France was eliminated in a spectacular eighth final with penalties. In the next round, Spain was too strong after extra time. Switzerland already inquired with Urs Fischer, but the trainer of 1. FC Union Berlin showed kicker know not to be interested. Lucien Favre, who is unemployed after his dismissal from Borussia Dortmund, does not want to return to football yet.
After the cancellations of Fischer and Favre, the Swiss Football Association is according to Blick so ended up with Wenger. The Frenchman retired in 2018 after 22 years as Arsenal manager and was subsequently mentioned by numerous clubs and countries, but has not yet returned. Wenger has been the head of football development for FIFA since November 2019. In addition to French, he also speaks fluent German and English and would therefore fit in well with Switzerland, it sounds like.
In addition, Wenger, who spent two years at Arsenal with Swiss captain Granit Xhaka, would be ideal as an interim pope. The World Cup will start in Qatar in a year and a half and in September Switzerland will have to work hard in the qualifying cycle for that final round. The Alpine country is in Group C with Italy, Northern Ireland, Bulgaria and Lithuania. Only the number one qualifies directly, while the number two moves on to the play-offs.