ARSENE WENGER was offered jobs by Real Madrid, Juventus and even Manchester United but turned them down to stay loyal to Arsenal.
The Frenchman also rejected international approaches by France and England during his 22 years in charge of the Gunners.
Wenger retired from the Arsenal hot seat in 2018 having won three Premier League titles – including the unbeaten 2003-04 ‘Invincibles’ season.
But his career could have been very different had he allowed his head to be turned – something he admitted he wishes had happened.
Wenger told a new documentary: “I identified myself completely with Arsenal and that was the mistake I regret. But now there is no special reason for me to go there.
“I could have gone to the French national team, the English national team three times.
“I could have gone twice to Real Madrid, to Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and even to Manchester United.”
Any offer to take over at Old Trafford would likely have come after 2013 and the retirement of his great rival Sir Alex Ferguson.
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A thoughtful Wenger admitted for the first time he regrets dedicating so much of his life to one club.
Before taking over at Highbury – Arsenal’s home before the Emirates – he managed Nancy, Monaco, and Nagoya Grampus Eight in Japan.
And ultimately his loyalty to the north London giants ended in tension when he announced he would step down at the end of the 2017-18 season.
He added: “It’s the end of your life, like a funeral. On the day everyone is nice to you and one week before you have to face a lot of criticism.
“I managed to control my emotions but, of course, the end of a love story is always sad.”
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