Laporta rules out Wenger approach
The exit of boardroom ally David Dein has unsettled Wenger
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Monday, 25, Jun 2007 10:43
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has dismissed speculation that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will follow Thierry Henry to the Nou Camp.
The French striker claimed that his £16.1 million switch to Spain was precipitated by the departure of David Dein from the Gunners' boardroom and uncertainly over Wenger's future at the Emirates.
But Laporta has ruled out any possible reunion for his new acquisition and his mentor by insisting that Dutchman Frank Rijkaard is safe in the Barca hot-seat.
"Frank Rijkaard is the best coach that Barca have," he told reporters at a press conference to unveil Henry.
"Respecting Arsene Wenger as a person and a coach, he is a really good coach, but in our opinion, and I hope the opinion of our players, Frank is the best."
Henry paid a glowing tribute to his relationship with his compatriot who coached him at Monaco before bringing him to north London after a difficult spell at Juventus in 1999.
"The relationship I had with Arsene was out of this world - you can't imagine. I was talking to him about private stuff, about anything," the 31-year-old forward said.
Wenger has just one year remaining on his contract with the Premiership club and the upheavals in the club's hierarchy have left him seriously considering his future.
While Rijkaard appears safe in his role at the moment, a repeat of this season's failure, which saw the Catalan giants fail in their defence of both domestic and European titles, may see the notoriously-fickle Laporta change his mind.