Ex-Arsenal boss Wenger opens door to Newcastle

Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has opened the door to a move to Newcastle United.

Following Rafa Benitez's departure at Newcastle, the Frenchman has been linked with the vacant role at St James' Park.

He told France24: "I would prefer to try another country, although my preferred time was in England because the Premier League is the place to be at the moment.

"But for me it is very difficult because I was for so long at the same club. But why not?

"I still need a bit of time to pass and then maybe make the decision."

Asked if any return to a managerial role was an immediate possibility, he said: "Not in the near future, no. I'm still not ready to go back.

"I thought yes but I don't think at the moment I will come back.

"I'm more open now than a year ago to talk about that but I cannot tell you that in the next two or three days I will go into management again.

"I took a little bit of distance and I enjoyed it. I worked for 35 years without any interruptions, so I think I deserved a little rest."