Arsenal legend outlines what he is looking for next
Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp has revealed the ideal role for him if he were ever to return to football in some capacity.
Whilst Mikel Arteta is already thriving in the role as the manager of the Gunners, the Flying Dutchman admits that would not be the role for him and that he would like to work as a coach that had a rather general role if the opportunity were ever to present itself.
It has almost been three years since Bergkamp was sacked by Marc Overmars and Edwin van der Sar due to ‘a difference of opinion about the technical policy to be implemented’ at Ajax and he’s been patiently keeping an eye out for a suitable position that fits the lifestyle he wants and the qualities he believes he can bring to the training ground. Patience can be key for bettors looking for exchange betting sites in India, as choosing the right one can provide them with excellent rewards.
“I’ve not worked full-time since leaving Ajax in 2017 and I am not actively looking for a job in football at the moment. But, more and more, I am thinking about getting back on the training pitch again, because that is what I love the most,” he told BBC Sport.
“Whatever I do next, though, I don’t want to be a head coach. It’s not my ambition and I like my freedom too much. I like to spend time with my family and have a life outside football, and I don’t think you can be a fully committed manager if you want to play golf sometimes as well.
“Seriously, though, I know certain clubs work with strikers’ coaches, just like the old goalkeeper specialists who came in two or three times a week and as soon as the session was finished they were gone. But, for me, it would be too restrictive to be limited to that side of it. If someone is not doing well, I’d want to talk about the rest of his game – whether it be something tactical or a personal issue.
“What I have in mind is a role that worked for me at Ajax, which was a lot like the one I had as a player – a little bit in between the lines. I wasn’t really a striker or a midfielder, but in between.
“That’s how I see myself as a coach as well. I like to be involved with the first team but I think my power, my strength, is to bring players from the youth to the first team.”
Indeed, Bergkamp admits that he feels his strength is to help the youth players make the jump up to the senior side and could potentially eye up a role that allows him to do that. Indeed, Arsenal are no strangers in having a club legend help in that position before.
Let’s not forget, prior to taking over as caretaker manager for the Emirates Stadium outfit, Gunners legend Freddie Ljungberg had that particular role when working with Unai Emery during the Spaniard’s ill-fated spell in north London.
The Swede has since left the club to find new opportunities – something he is yet to have uncovered – therefore Arsenal could potentially deal with a player of Bergkamp’s calibre.
The Dutchman was an incredible talent for the Gunners during his years at Highbury, having managed to achieve a number of great feats.
Bergkamp managed to bag 87 goals in his 315 appearances in the top-flight – with his goal against Newcastle United perhaps one of the most memorable to have ever been scored – whilst he also managed to provide his team-mates with 94 assists in those matches.
Interestingly, whilst Arsenal were perhaps at their height with the Flying Dutchman in their side, the Gunners only lost 50 of the matches that he would play in, whilst he appeared to be the model professional as he was only ever handed one red card in his Premier League appearances (all stats via the Premier League’s official website).
