Unless there is a dramatic U-turn, Arsene Wenger will sign a two year extension to his Arsenal contract.
Arsene Wenger has verbally agreed a new two-year contract to remain Arsenal manager until at least 2019, extending his extraordinary tenure at the club into a 23rd year.
The deal has been offered by majority owner Stan Kroenke and, while subject to formal ratification at a board meeting today lunchtime, Wenger’s continuation as manager is now regarded as a formality.
Wenger paved the way for staying after being reassured that changes proposed to the sporting structure by chief executive Ivan Gazidis would not impact on his core decision making.
Arsenal are planning to make an official announcement tomorrow. Wenger and Kroenke are expected to outline their vision and determination to make Arsenal again challenge to win the Premier League.
Gazidis has been looking at candidates for a new sporting director/operations role to coordinate and streamline the work around Wenger on issues ranging from scouting and medicine to youth development and analytics.
Kroenke attended Saturday's FA Cup final and has spoken to Wenger over the past 72 hours. Wenger retains the owner's backing despite genuine resistance from members for the Gunners board to Wenger staying - but Kroenke holds the final decision.
Wenger will however, be urged to be more assertive in the transfer market during the crunch board meeting and propose a number of changes to the way Wenger runs the club's football operation at today's meeting.
The club, in recent years, have found themselves frantically signing players on the final day of the summer transfer window - a scenario the club want to avoid.
The club are also expected to announce whether they are looking into appointing a Director of Football to work alongside or above Wenger, or indeed whether that role could be filled by the Frenchman.
Wenger has always expressed his desire to stay on at the club but was critical of his treatment by a section of the fans at the Emirates.
The 67 years old Frenchman is Arsenal's most sucessful manager, leading the club to 3 Premier League titles and 7 FA Cup trophies.
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