Arsene Wenger: I Will Not Retire, I'm A Masochist

Arsene Wenger
Arsène Wenger in Munich, southern Germany, on February 14. Wenger insists he wants to remain Arsenal manager next season. CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/Getty

Arsène Wenger insists he does not want to leave Arsenal at the end of the season despite saying he has "sacrificed" his life to work in the Premier League.

Wenger's contract at the Emirates Stadium runs out at the end of the season, which could see his 21 years as manager of the club come to an end. The 69-year-old has ruled out retiring come the end of the season as well as taking over from Luis Enrique at Barcelona.

Enrique announced Wednesday he would be stepping down as manager at the Camp Nou at the end of the season and needed rest, prompting Wenger's sympathies.

"It's very demanding. It's a sacrifice of your life. Basically you get 90 percent aggravation and 10 percent satisfaction and you have to give everything in your life for that.

"I am a specialist in masochism," he added with a smile, according to The Times.

"You have to be ready for it. That's what I always say to all the young people who want to go into this job. 'Are you ready to sacrifice your life?' It's like a priest. You are a football priest."

Wenger spoke about the "many opportunities" he had to leave Arsenal over the past two decades but emphasized his desire to always remain in north London.

This weekend, Wenger takes his team to Merseyside. Liverpool and Arsenal are direct competitors for the top-four with the Gunners currently ahead by just a point while Liverpool sits fifth in the table.

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