Arsene Wenger is to travel to Liberia this week to receive the west African country’s highest honour for his role in the development of the football career of president George Weah.
President Weah, the only African to have been named World Player of the Year, was signed by Wenger in 1988 when he coached Monaco.
Ballon d’Or winner Weah played under Wenger at Monaco, where he won the Coupe de France.
Wenger will be inducted into the country’s Order of Distinction and be given the title of Knight Grand Commander of the Humane Order of African Redemption – the highest rank possible.
President Weah has told the ‘BBC’ that Wenger “took care of me like his son” when he went to Monaco, adding that “besides God, I think that without Arsene, there was no way I would have made it in Europe”.
Wenger has returned the compliment, calling the president’s life story “a miracle”.
“I remember when I saw him the first time at Monaco, coming in a bit lost, not knowing anybody, not being rated by anybody as a player and becoming the best player in the world in 1995 and today becoming the president of his country,” he added.
SECURITY DURING MATCHES
Arsene Wenger was given personal bodyguard due to increased terror threat during his last two seasons in charge or Arsenal.
An updated edition of the acclaimed biography ‘The Inside Story Of Arsenal Under Wenger’ ,written by leading football journalist John Cross, has revealed that Wenger had a personal bodyguard by his side for his final two seasons in charge of the club.
Due to the heightened threat from terrorist activity to all public figures around the globe, Wenger was accompanied by his bodyguard when in public areas from halfway through 2016.
Wenger is currently enjoying a break from football and is yet to decide his next move in football.