Robert Pires believes England need a manager like Arsene Wenger but says he hopes the Frenchman opts to stay at Arsenal after this season.
The 66-year-old’s contract expires in the summer and he is yet to confirm if he will stay at the Emirates or opt to leave after 20 years in charge.
Wenger has emerged as a contender to replace Sam Allardyce, with Gareth Southgate currently interim manager of the Three Lions having agreed to take charge of the national side for their next four games.
Pires, spent six years at Arsenal winning two Premier League titles and three FA Cups under Wenger, and says he hopes he will stay.
“A lot of people want to see Arsene Wenger as the manager of England but he has a contract with Arsenal, I don’t know what happens at the end of the season but I understand the fans in England, they need a manager like Arsene Wenger, he is a great person and a great manager,” he said according to ESPN.
“The situation is simple, Wenger is the manager for Arsenal. I know him, he wants to go to the pitch every morning.
“This is the most important [thing for him]. If he takes this job, it’s not the same. So, for the moment I cannot imagine Wenger working for England. This is my opinion.
“If he takes this job, he needs to adapt. The new job. The new challenge.”
However, Pires also feels his former side still need Wenger but says he is not sure what the boss wants for the future.
“If you ask me, I hope he continues with Arsenal because since 20 years he built something at Arsenal, he won a lot of titles. I think Arsenal need Arsene Wenger,” he added.
“Arsene Wenger loves Arsenal and this is the last season because his contract finishes, I don’t know what happens but it would be a good opportunity for England, I don’t know [if it would be] for Arsene Wenger.
“It is not the same job when you are manager of one club like Arsenal or for the country, seriously I don’t know what he wants for the future.”
England are undoubtedly in need of a great manager having failed miserably at Euro 2016 and the embarrassment caused by Allardyce’s departure after just 67 days and one game in charge. However, whether Wenger is willing to take on one of the toughest jobs in __football remains to be seen.