In anticipation of the upcoming 2021 Laureus World Sports Awards we’re taking a look back at some of the most iconic speeches from winners in the history of the event.
Arsène Wenger was presented with the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 by Alessandro Del Piero and Cesc Fàbregas.
Wenger was the manager of English football club Arsenal from 1996 to 2018, where he was the longest-serving and most successful in the club's history. His contribution to English football through changes to scouting, players' training and diet regimens revitalised Arsenal and aided the globalisation of the sport in the 21st century. He has strong links with Monaco where the 2019 Awards were held.
After a modest playing career, in which he made appearances for several amateur clubs, Wenger obtained a manager's diploma in 1981 and joined AS Monaco. The club won the league championship in 1988 and the Coupe de France in 1991.
He briefly coached J.League side Nagoya Grampus Eight and won the Emperor's Cup and Japanese Super Cup during his stay in Japan, before being appointed manager by Arsenal in 1996. Two years later he led the club to a Premier League and FA Cup double, which was repeated in 2002.
In 2004, Wenger made history when Arsenal completed a whole season undefeated, a feat not achieved in England for 115 years. Arsenal later passed Nottingham Forest's record of 42 league matches unbeaten and went seven more matches before losing in October 2004. The team became known as ‘The Invincibles’.
The club made their first appearance in a Champions League final in 2006, though they lost to Barcelona. Wenger guided Arsenal to further FA Cup success in 2014, 2015 and 2017, before stepping down as manager a year later.
Sometimes known as ‘Le Professeur’ to reflect Wenger's character, his approach to the game emphasised an attacking mentality, with the aim that football ought to be entertaining on the pitch. He has earned a reputation for discovering young talent, and while he was at Arsenal, the women’s team became pre-eminent.
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