Pat Rice is set to carry on as Arsene Wenger’s right-hand man for another season, according to the club’s official website.
Rice looked set to retire at the end of the current season, which left the Arsenal boss drawing up a list of possible replacements for the 62-year-old Irishman this summer. However, the 1971 double winner has confirmed that he will in fact continue his role for at least another season alongside Wenger.
The Frenchman, who appointed Rice as his assistant when he arrived at the club back in 1996, was quoted on Arsenal.com saying:
’I think Pat will continue for one more year. He has told me that.’
’This is important for me because he knows how I work. We have a good understanding, he is a compliment to me.’
’The day he stops will be a massive loss. So I am happy that he goes on for one more year.’
Although Wenger will be pleased to hear that Rice is prolonging his stay, the Frenchman still may add to his backroom staff during the summer:
’We always need [fresh ideas] and I am thinking about it. I don’t know yet if I’ll bring in someone. I cannot tell you yes or no because I have not made that decision.’
I’m glad to hear that Ricey is staying put for at least another season, as he is a respected individual amongst the current squad and a club legend. However, I believe Rice must become more vocal in the dugout and tell Wenger when he has made a mistake.
A lot of fans are calling for a change, whether Rice staying is a step in that direction is up for debate.
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Another year with the yes man. No trophy next season then
Didn’t hear the likes of you complaining when Ricey coached the invincibles, unless you sit in the dug-out or attend training sessions at London Colney, I`ll just assume you don’t know what you’re talking about and are scapegoating.
The Invincibles didn’t need much “coaching”. Arsene will never find another set of players like that again all at the same time.
Much like the current Spain national team, the right set of players happen to all collaborate in the same team at the right time.
What has Pat done lately then? Sit in the dugout quietly watching us lose while Arsene jumps around like a madman because he’s been conceding the same type of goals for the past 6 years and losing to the same teams for the past 6 years.
Yeah now what?
It’s good news that he is staying for another year, but personally even though I respect him I don’t really care. We need to sort out our defensive and striking issues asap or forget about challenging for the title next season, infact I’ll go as far and say if we don’t sort out these issues, I don’t see us making top four.