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Dragan Stojkovic: The man Wenger wanted as his Arsenal successor

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Goal speaks to the 53-year-old Serbian who the Gunners boss previously identified as the man to fill his managerial shoes.

Arsene Wenger has generally remained coy on who could eventually replace him as Arsenal manager but there is one man the Frenchman did publicly state he would like to succeed him when he leaves the club.

“I would love Stojkovic to be my successor; there are a hundred reasons for that,” Wenger told Serbian paper Vecernje Novosti in 2011. ”Our ideas are the same and we both strive for perfect football. I knew he was going to have teams playing attacking football with many passes. He has done that, showing he will be a great coach.”

Known as ‘Pixie’ by many in Japan and Serbia, former Nagoya midfielder Dragan Stojkovic spent eight years at the J-League side as a player – including two years playing under Wenger – before taking over as manager in 2008. He won manager of the year in Japan after a successful season in 2010 before leaving five years later to join Chinese Super League side Guangzhou R&F, with whom he has a contract until 2020.

Stojkovic spoke to Goal about how Wenger served as inspiration for him to enter football management while revealing for the first time how he played an integral part in bringing the Frenchman from Monaco to Nagoya in 1995.

“He was an inspiration for me to become a coach because of the experience of working with him for two years,” Stojkovic admits.

“We played nice football and we won the Emperors Cup, he became MVP coach of the year and I became MVP Player of the Year in an excellent group of foreign players. That was a big satisfaction for both of us and the club also.

“I realised that football is very simple. Under [Wenger’s] control, football is very simple but to be simple in football is so, so difficult.

“When he became coach I really started to enjoy playing football and felt huge pleasure to be on the pitch to do what I can do for my team. Every day was a pleasure to have training and preparation for the game, everything.

“I remember when I heard that he could become the new manager of Nagoya. I spoke with the president at the time Mr Nishigaki and technical director Mr Sogami who asked me if I knew Mr Wenger – but they didn’t pronounce the name well.

“I asked them to repeat because they were saying something like ‘Vengel’ and told them to write it on the paper. When I saw it written down I asked them, ‘Do you have a chance to bring this coach here?’ They said ‘yes’ and my answer was, ‘Just do it immediately, don’t waste time – bring him here.’

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“I was 100 per cent sure that he would give [Nagoya] the football that people want to see. Then, in January 1995, we met in a hotel in Paris where he [Wenger] asked me about Japan and everything.

Emperor's Cup

“I explained to him what he could expect there and told him that he would never get pressure from anyone and he could do his job how he thinks.

“I explained the respect culture in Japan and gave him good information about Nagoya and Japan.”

Of course, Wenger’s footballing philosophy would later change the face of the English game, as his Arsenal sides became renowned for their free-flowing attacking football.

Those closest to him paint a picture of a man who is deeply passionate about football, agonises over every detail of his offensive game-plan and takes great pride in developing players both as professional athletes and human beings.

It certainly shaped Stojkovic’s entire approach to tactics. “We share the same philosophy of football,” he enthuses.

“I like his methodology of working and training, how to deliver nice football to the people. I’m very happy to share these ideas in the same way as this is exactly how I see my team today.

“He was my inspiration to become a coach and in my last examination to get the pro licence I was at Arsenal’s training ground where I spent one week there.

Stojkovic Wenger

“I think his football philosophy is something very important because he always focuses on technical football.

“He’s not someone who is looking for physical presence on the pitch and long balls. In his view, the football is something different, it means the ball should be on the ground with a lot of quality movement.

“He’s focusing on the technical skills and that’s why he always signs players who control the ball well – intelligent players.

“His training methodology is very simple but interesting – I never had a boring training session with him. He’s very passionate about football and he thinks about football 24/7.”

It’s no secret that Wenger rediscovered his love for football while managing in Japan following a match-fixing scandal which rocked French football, and the Arsenal boss previously revealed that his inability to understand what people were writing in the newspapers gave him added freedom to enjoy the game again.

In the autumn of 1996, Wenger’s stay at Nagoya came to an end when he joined Arsenal after being won over by then vice-chairman David Dein.

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For the first time, Stojkovic reveals how Wenger told him that he was one of the top three players he had ever managed, while also attempting to make him one of his first signings at Arsenal – where he planned to deploy the Serbian star in the same forward line as Gunners legend Dennis Bergkamp.

Arsene Wenger Jack Wilshere

“I’m very grateful that he knew my personality and skills as a player,” he confesses.

“He gave me one compliment and in 1996 when he offered me to join Arsenal I decided to stay in Nagoya just for one reason – because my children were there and started school and I felt comfortable there, as I was the star in the J-League.

“In the end, when we said good luck to each other, he told me that he worked with a lot of good players in the world but he said I’m in the top three in his career. I asked him for the other two and he told me ‘George Weah and Glen Hoddle’. I asked him who was the No.1.

“He said, ‘It’s very difficult to say but you’re the three best players I have ever seen.’ I was grateful to receive this kind of compliment for him.

“Professionally, yes, [I regret not joining Arsenal], because he [Wenger] explained everything and that he wanted to partner me with [Dennis] Bergkamp, and that [Patrick] Vieira was coming too.

“But I was comfortable [in Japan] and my kids started school so the change was too much [for them] – if not, I would have joined Arsenal.

Stojkovic

“This offer showed how he respected me as a player and when someone like Wenger says you’re one of the most intelligent players he’s worked with that’s a big compliment for me.”

Wenger’s decision to announce his departure from Arsenal after 22 years at the end of the season came as a surprise to some, yet Stojkovic believes that the progression from ‘Arsene Who?’ to ‘Le Professeur’ coupled with the legacy he has left in north London means the legendary status is certainly deserved.

“Everybody knows what he’s done there [at Arsenal],” he argues. “There was a big question mark when Mr Dein came to Nagoya and convinced him to come to Arsenal. Nobody believed that the ‘Professor’ could come and make that group of players champions.

“He was lucky that the players accepted after a few months his style of work and football. He’s a legend. It’s very difficult to say to someone that you’re a legend, but he’s a real legend.

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“Leading one of the most important clubs in the world in that way for 22 years is amazing. He made a new era and a new Arsenal. There’s two Arsenals – before Wenger and one starting from 1996, which included incredible results and amazing skills of play every year, participating in the Champions League every year.

“It’s going to be strange to not see him on the bench because he was there for such a long time. I think the decision is a private one made by himself.

“I will call him to talk and to meet him in London like every year. Every time I’m back in Europe we have a lunch and talk about football. I feel very privileged that I can go and have a lunch and take a coffee with him.

Wenger Stojkovic

As one of his closest confidants and a friend who regularly keeps in touch with the experienced coach, Stojkovic’s words of advice for Wenger will be to put his feet up and rest after 35 years at the top level with no break.

“I think the best thing is to take a holiday and travel around the world,” he reasons. “It’s going to be hard for him because everyone knows him. He’s so intelligent that he knows what he should do.

“I think he needs a rest and after that we will see. I wish him all the best in the future but I think now he deserves rest and a little holiday with friends.

“What I’m definitely sure of is that he won’t say goodbye to football.”

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Osimhen Crowned 2023 CAF Footballer of the Year

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Victor Osimhen has been named the 2023 African Footballer of the Year, cementing his status as one of the world’s top players.

Osimhen surpassed competition from Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah for the prestigious award.

The Super Eagles forward concluded a remarkable year in the imperial Moroccan city of Marakesh, ending Nigeria’s 24-year wait for Africa’s top individual prize, last won by legendary Kanu Nwankwo in 1999.

During the event, Osimhen expressed gratitude, acknowledging the impact of Nigerian legend Emmanuel Amuneke, who coached him at the U-17 level, and the support from fans and fellow players.

“It’s a dream come true for me. I want to thank everyone who has seen me through life’s journey, in achieving my dreams and goals. I appreciate Nigerians and Africa for their unwavering support and encouragement,” he said.

Osimhen recognised the influence of Emmanuel Adebayo, Solomon Kalu, and other African legends, expressing gratitude to his role model, Didier Drogba.

The award reflects Osimhen’s outstanding performances with Napoli, where he played a pivotal role in their Serie A title run, scoring 26 league goals and becoming the first African to win the top scorer award, breaking George Weah’s record in the Italian top-flight.”

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Lionel Messi Secures Historic 8th Ballon d’Or Triumph

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Lionel Messi, the renowned Argentine football icon, clinched the coveted 2023 Ballon d’Or, setting a new record for the 2022 World Cup champion.

In a glamorous event held in Paris, Messi, who now plays for Inter Miami, received the prestigious award on Monday night. This achievement is widely seen as a well-deserved recognition for his pivotal role in guiding the Abiscelete to World Cup victory in the previous year.

Aged 36, Messi succeeded Karim Benzema as the recipient of this award, which acknowledges his exceptional performances during the last season when he inspired Argentina to triumph at the World Cup.

His remarkable displays in Qatar, where he led his nation to a historic victory, enabled him to surpass strong competition, notably from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. Haaland secured the second spot in the final voting, with Mbappe finishing third and Kevin De Bruyne taking fourth place.

Messi, a former Barcelona superstar, left an indelible mark at the World Cup, scoring seven crucial goals. His exceptional performance led to him being named the tournament’s best player, especially after Argentina’s victory over France in the final.

While Messi’s World Cup heroics were undeniable, his final season with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was relatively lackluster. Subsequently, he made a move to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

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His former PSG teammate, Mbappe, made a strong case for the Ballon d’Or with his outstanding World Cup performance, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals, including a memorable hat-trick in the final for France.

Norwegian striker Erling Haaland had a remarkable season, scoring an incredible 52 goals in 53 games for Manchester City. This stellar performance played a pivotal role in helping Pep Guardiola’s team secure a historic treble in the English Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.

Both Haaland and De Bruyne were nominated for the Ballon d’Or from their exceptional contributions to the success of Manchester City.

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“B Sample Reveals Presence of Testosterone in Pogba’s Test Results”

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Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba’s ‘B’ sample has confirmed the presence of testosterone, a source close to the case told AFP on Friday.

The 30-year-old former Manchester United player, a World Cup winner in 2018, faces a ban of up to four years.

The original test by the Italian anti-doping agency (Nado) showed the presence of testosterone metabolites.

On Friday, Pogba learned that the analysis of his B sample, carried out on the previous day, had produced the same result.

The player’s entourage declined to comment.

Under the World Anti-Doping Code, Pogba is liable to a four-year suspension, which could be halved if he proves that he was not at fault.

The ban could even be limited to a few months if the use of the substance took place “out of competition and is not related to his level of performance”.

Pogba’s representatives said last month that the testosterone came from a food supplement prescribed by a doctor he consulted in the United States.

Testosterone promotes muscle development.

Contacted by AFP, Nado was unable to confirm this information “due to a decision by the Italian privacy authority”.

Pogba has seven days to submit his defence to Italy’s National Anti-Doping Tribunal, which will investigate his case and request a sanction, a process that could take several weeks.

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In addition to the proceedings of the Italian sports justice system, a judicial investigation will be opened by the Turin public prosecutor’s office, as doping is a criminal offence in Italy.

Since the announcement of his positive test, Pogba has been unable to train with Juventus, the club to which he returned in July 2022 after six seasons with United.

The announcement came shortly before Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri’s press conference on the eve of the Turin derby against Torino, at which he simply said he was “sorry for Paul”.

Contacted by AFP, the club, which has also suspended payment of his estimated annual salary of 8 million euros (8.4 million dollars), did not respond.

Pogba started the season attempting to bounce back from string of injuries last season and from summer surgery.

His sample was reportedly taken at his club’s opening match of the Serie A season, a win at Udinese on August 20, during which he was an unused substitute.

After the first sample tested positive on September 11,  Pogba’s agent Rafaela Pimenta said she was “awaiting the second sample and cannot have an opinion before the results”.

“What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule,” she added.

 

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