Arsene Wenger has praised David Dein
for his great work at Arsenal and in the English game.
Dein was the man that brought Wenger to England in 1996, and the
Gunners boss believes he set a precedent for the future.
The Arsenal vice-chairman is also a key figure within the Football
Association, playing a major role in the decision to appoint Sven
Goran Eriksson as England coach.
"In ten years, David Dein revolutionised not only Arsenal, but the
whole of English football," Wenger told L'Equipe Magazine.
"Apart from Josef Venglos at Aston Villa, an English club never
took the risk of appointing a foreign coach.
"It is pretentious to say it but my arrival was a strong
sign.
"Dein is a mad optimist. He is open-minded to new ideas.
"Before bringing me in, he was one of the people behind the birth
of the Premier League in 1992.
"Then he used his influence at The FA to name Eriksson. I find they
have some nerves to get a foreign coach for England. I would rather
they chose an Englishman.
"Several times The FA contacted me, I refused their offers. David
Dein didn't need to stand in my way."
Wenger also revealed how determined Dein is to back him and see
Arsenal succeed.
He added: "To sign a new player, we need to have the same wage
ideas. We each write a wage estimate offer and compare. Around 10
per cent of the time, we all agree.
"Usually he is the most generous. He really wants me to have the
players I am dreaming of."