Arsene Wenger is a cornerstone of Arsenal history but it is down to Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle that the Gunners even got him in the first place.
Wenger’s record and history at Arsenal needs no introduction and he is without doubt one of the best managers in the club’s history.
Still, while we celebrate Wenger’s success, we should actually be giving kudos to Glenn Hoddle.
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Glenn Hoddle was a key reason behind David Dein appointing Arsene Wenger
It seems absolutely crazy to suggest a Tottenham legend pushed Arsene Wenger the way of Arsenal but here we are.
With Wenger joining in 1996, he’d coached some of the best players in Europe in France – including Hoddle.
Indeed, speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football, Hoddle admitted he pushed David Dein to get him at Arsenal.
“I loved every minute with Arsene (at Monaco). I really did. It was great and I played a big part actually because I was England manager at the time and David Dein was the one that was pushing me really, should I get him? Should I get him? I said go and get him,” Hoddle revealed.
“There was no Spurs fans listening, and I said to him he must have asked me because he was on the committee at England and he was saying four or five times whenever I saw him ‘it’s on my head no one’s heard of him really in the board at Arsenal at the time.’
“I said he’ll be successful. I said go and get him.
“It’s my fault, sorry!”
Hoddle’s influence here led to one of the greatest periods in Arsenal’s history.
Wenger managed 22 seasons with the Gunners, amassing over 1200 games on the touchline. The Frenchman also brought 17 trophies to the club, including three Premier League titles and the memorable Invincibles season in 2004.
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As for Hoddle and Tottenham, they had nowhere near the success Wenger had at Arsenal and while Hoddle did well with England for a period, Wenger’s achievements at Highbury and then The Emirates far overshadowed things.
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