FORMER Arsenal superstar Robert Pires has revealed that he almost joined Rangers after being shown the door by the English giants.
The French World Cup winner was deemed surplus to requirements by Arsene Wenger shortly after the 2006 Champions League final, in which Pires was substituted after just 18 minutes following the dismissal of goalkeeper Jen Lehmann.
The then 33-year-old decided in the end to sign for Spanish side Villareal, but he admits that the offer to join the Glasgow club, who were managed by compatriot Paul Le Guen at the time, was a tempting one.
“In 2006, my manager spoke with someone from Rangers, but I chose to go to Villarreal,” Pires said.
“I don’t know if it was a good choice, but for me it was important because my mum is Spanish, and it was important to see my son can play for La Liga.
“When you are a player it’s good when you receive offers from clubs such as Rangers because everyone knows in Europe they are a very good club and especially in Scotland. It was an honour to receive this offer.
“It was at the time of Paul Le Guen and he’s French, I’m French, so maybe it was easier to find a solution in me, but I chose Spain.
“Rangers are a great club in Scotland and I know the fans are very passionate. When they go to the stadium they really support the players and that’s why, when you’re a player, it’s good news.
“I had to make a decision and go in that direction and at that moment, in 2006, the direction was Spain and Villarreal.”
Pires has been impressed by the first steps in management being made by his former midfield foe, Steven Gerrard, and while he has no plans of his own to move into management, he believes that the experience Gerrard gained as a top-level player himself gives him a crucial advantage when it comes to relating to his players.
“I know Steven Gerrard is doing well for Rangers and I’m happy for him because he deserves it,” he said. “He was a great player and now he tries to be contribute towards being a good manager with Rangers.
“It’s not in my plans to be a manager. it’s a great job but it’s very, very difficult - very hard, very intense. “It’s every day. It’s very important to see new faces on the bench, such as Steven Gerrard or Frank Lampard, Thierry Henry or Patrick Vieira, who has just joined Nice in Ligue 1. It’s important for people to see these guys emerging to help the new generation because football is changing.
But they don’t always make great managers?
“It’s not always about money. If you are a manager, you need to find a good relationship with the players. For me, that’s the most important thing. That’s why Henry, Gerrard, Lampard or Vieira can relate to players. Their players are more excited because these managers great players and they can give some advice and a lot of experience to them. The relationship between the new manager and players is very, very important.”
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