Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp has said that he hopes one day to work as part of the club’s coaching team.
However, speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Bergkamp – currently an assistant coach with Ajax, the club with whom he started his playing career – said that he does not fancy becoming a manager.
The Dutch playmaker, who won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups during his 11 years with the Gunners, says he has the same strong affinity for Arsenal (and English football) that his fellow Dutchman Johan Cruyff had for Barcelona:
“At Arsenal it was a good click. I always enjoyed it. I never had a bad day there. It is always on my mind. It is part of my ambition to come back at some stage… I don’t see myself being at Ajax for the rest of my coaching career. I don’t see myself as a manager. I see myself as being part of the coaching staff. I really enjoy that role, especially the individual training with the strikers.
“English football changed my DNA… It made me a better player. I played at Arsenal for eleven years and the warmth of the players, the staff and the fans… I must have done something right. In Holland people always ask me about ‘my team’ meaning Arsenal.”
Bergkamp was shocked that some Arsenal fans abused and insulted Wenger when their team were beaten in their first day of the season by Aston Villa.
“The things some of the fans were saying to Wenger were quite shocking. Arsène is a decent, normal guy and I’m sure he’s the first one who wants to win trophies.”
Bergkamp still calls Wenger “The Boss” and cannot believe that people doubt his ambition.
“He wants to win trophies of course. It’s in his nature. There are probably more reasons why Arsenal hasn’t been successful over the last few years than we know of.
Invincibles reunion?
Intriguingly Bergkamp also raised the prospect of a possible Emirates reunion of several other players from the golden teams of the late 90s and early 2000s:
“Steve Bould is there now which is excellent. I’ve spoken to Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry would love to come back to Arsenal one day. Tony [Adams] is a big option as well.”
Bergkamp notched 87 goals in 315 appearances for the Gunners and is without doubt one of the finest players ever to wear the club’s shirt.
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