Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will step aside at the end of this season, ending a tenure spanning three decades with the Premier League club.
READ: Wenger names Vieira as potential Arsenal successor
The French coach had one year left to run on his contract and had continually insisted that he would see out the remainder of his current deal, despite another underwhelming campaign with the Gunners.
Wenger has come under increasing pressure to step down from his post as manager, and now he has finally decided to part ways with the club after extensive talks with the board.
The 68-year-old coach issued the following statement:
‘After careful consideration and following discussions with the club, I feel it is the right time for me to step down at the end of the season.
‘I am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years.
‘I managed the club with full commitment and integrity.
‘I want to thank the staff, the players, the directors and the fans who make this club so special.
‘I urge our fans to stand behind the team to finish on a high.
‘To all the Arsenal lovers take care of the values of the club.
‘My love and support forever.’
The Gunners currently occupy sixth place in the league and they look set to miss out on a top-four finish for the second consecutive season, with their hopes of reaching the Champions League resting on winning the Europa League.
Wenger won three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups, including the double during the 1998 and 2002 campaign.
Wenger will lead the team until the end of the season with the club set to appoint his successor soon after.
#MerciArsène pic.twitter.com/bjP0wLMgee
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 20, 2018
