Why Nigel Winterburn hopes Arsene Wenger turns down the England job and stays at Arsenal ~ arsenal

Former Arsenal star Nigel Winterburn reckons his former boss Arsene Wenger would be the perfect England manager - but hopes it never happens.

Sam Allardyce's sacking just 67 days into the job has opened up the vacancy for the second time this year.

Wenger's current Arsenal deal expires at the end of this season after 20 years in charge.

And with Gareth Southgate confirmed by the FA as interim England boss for the next four games, the Frenchman's name has been linked with the role.

Odds on the Gunners manager replacing Allardyce have tumbled as the FA consider their options and Winterburn admitted 66-year-old Wenger would be "very good" for the England team.

Bookies think Wenger may be the man to replace Allardyce as England boss

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger with Nigel Winterburn during training for the UEFA Champions League — Winterburn knows Wenger well from their four years together at Arsenal

He told Reuters: "If he feels the situation is right at Arsenal and gets offered a new contract at Arsenal and he and the board are together with the way the club is going he will re-sign.

"But if he doesn't, because of his style of play I would love to see him be the England manager. I would love to see him change the attitude of the English players and the public because right now we are at a very low ebb.

"People are fed up with it. Personally I want to see him stay at Arsenal but he would be very good for the England team."

Winterburn, now 52, played for Arsenal for 13 years - four of them under Wenger.

And he believes that his former boss would choose the north London club over a call from the FA if both made him offers.

Referee Howard Webb looks on as Nigel Winterburn goes down after Paolo Di Canio pretends to headbutt him — Winterburn larks around with Paolo Di Canio in a 'legends' game at the Emirates this September

Winterburn added: "Whoever comes in needs to do something radical because we just don't perform in tournaments. But if Arsenal offer Arsene a new contract he stays, full stop."

Allardyce was sacked after making a series of controversial comments to undercover journalists, believing they were businessmen and allegedly advising them on how to "get around" rules on player transfers.

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