This archive report was first published on 25 October 2019.
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has announced his intention to return to football management, ending a hiatus that lasted several months.
Wenger, who turned 70 earlier this week, revealed that he had received offers from around the world during his time away from the sport, but had been unable to accept them due to family commitments.
"I refused until now to come back because we had some family sickness problems," Wenger told AFP during a visit to Tokyo.
Wenger, who coached J-League club Nagoya Grampus before joining Arsenal in 1996, has previously been linked to the Japan national team job and has expressed his love for the country and its football culture.
"I can envisage everything -- I loved being in Japan. I don't rule anything out," Wenger said, hinting at a possible return to the country in the future.
Wenger, who is currently in Tokyo in an advisory role on plans for a new stadium in the capital, is looking to return to the dugout early next year, although he is undecided about his next destination.
"I miss management -- even those freezing, rainy nights in such unglamorous climes as Stoke or Bolton," Wenger said, recalling his time at Arsenal.
Wenger denied that he had spent his time away from football moping around the house, instead enjoying a little more freedom and time with his family.
"No, I'm quite surprised," Wenger said. "I've enjoyed a little bit more time, more freedom -- it was the first time in 35 years that I woke up in the morning and didn't have to go somewhere."
Wenger also expressed his frustration with the intense media scrutiny of modern-day football and the trigger-happy owners who make the job increasingly precarious.
"There's some things I don't miss," Wenger said. "The scrutiny and the definite conclusions after every game are much worse than before."
