Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has been unveiled as the recipient of the prestigious 2019 Legends of Football award.
On 7 October 2019, the world of football and music will flock to JW Marriott Grosvenor House London to honour Wenger, who follows in the footsteps of Sir Alex Ferguson, Pelé and Frank Lampard who received the award last year.
The Legends of Football event is an annual charity fundraising night, supported by the Premier League in aid of, Nordoff Robbins. The event has raised a staggering £8m for our life-changing music therapy since Jimmy Greaves was Guest of Honour at its inaugural event in 1996.
“Since leaving Arsenal I have received some interesting proposals some of which I am currently contemplating. However, one invitation that I did not hesitate to accept, and I am extremely honoured to do so, is to receive the 2019 Legends of Football award,” said Arsène Wenger. “I have always enjoyed music and I am excited to be involved in the work Legends of Football does to support Nordoff Robbins, which is a fantastic charity. Music therapy can change people’s lives, across a broad spectrum of disabilities, and I will help in any way I can. I look forward to celebrating at the Legends of Football event on 7 October.”
Geoff Shreeves, Sky Sports presenter and Legends of Football chairman commented: “Arsène is somebody who we have been wanting to honour for over a decade so we are genuinely thrilled that he has agreed to be this year’s recipient. His achievements at Arsenal were nothing short of spectacular and his name is etched in Premier League history. He quite simply changed the face of the Premier League and will be an outstanding ambassador for Legends of Football and Nordoff Robbins in the year ahead.”
The award marks Arsène’s illustrious managerial career that has seen him win trophies in England, France and Japan with Arsenal, Monaco and Nagoya Grampus. It also celebrates his 21-year tenure as Arsenal manager during which he won three Premier Leagues, seven FA Cups and seven Community Shields.
One of the crowning glories of his reign as Arsenal manager was the 2003/4 Invincibles season in which his side romped to the Premier League title with 26 wins, 12 draws and an unprecedented 0 defeats.
Richard Masters, Acting CEO, Premier League: “Legends of Football is a great event that brings together the very best of the Premier League and the music world to support the vital work of Nordoff Robbins. This year we look forward to celebrating the career of Arsène Wenger, who had a remarkable management career at Arsenal and was a cornerstone of the Premier League era.”
Julie Whelan, CEO, Nordoff Robbins: “Events like Legends of Football are vital to us as a charity and we are delighted that Arsène Wenger has agreed to be recipient of the award this year. On behalf of Nordoff Robbins, I’d like to thank Arsène and everyone involved in the event for their hard work and dedication – every penny raised goes directly towards our music therapy delivery, helping us to change more lives through music.”
LEGENDS OF FOOTBALL WILL HONOUR ARSÈNE WENGER AT A STAR-STUDDED EVENT ON 7 OCTOBER . PACKAGES START FROM £4,500 + VAT AND CAN BE PURCHASED NOW BY VISITING THE LEGENDS OF FOOTBALL WEBSITE.
