Arsene Wenger

A self-described football obsessive, the erudite Frenchman's dedication to the game has paid off in a collection of domestic honours since his arrival in 1996 rivalled only by the achievements of Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, his nemesis in chief.
Wenger's involvement in football began at an early age in France where his attempts at forging a career as a player were for the most part limited to the amateur ranks of the country's third division though he eventually managed a brief spell at top-flight Strasbourg who captured the French title. However, his participation was limited to a mere three games during the championship season.
The realisation that his skills could not guarantee a career as a footballer led Wenger to enrol at the University of Strasbourg where he completed a masters degree in Economics. Nevertheless he remained involved in the game and in 1981 was appointed the youth coach at Strasbourg. His first spell in charge of a club came at Nancy in France but proved to be less than ideal when the club were relegated.