He has not played for Arsenal in more than ten years, but Robert Pires is looking to return to the club.
The French World Cup winner, spent six seasons at Highbury and was part of Arsenal's Invincibles team. He won two Premier League titles in North London, along with three FA Cups.
Pires remains an ambassador for the club, and now works as a coach with the first team, despite not playing top-level football since 2011. He retired for a second time earlier this year after a spell in India with FC Goa.
Despite his unofficial role at the Emirates, Pires wants to become Arsenal's Sporting Director, telling the Daily Express it was his "objective".
"I don’t know what will happen in the future, but I need to talk about it with the owners and Arsene Wenger. I’d love this job, I love to talk with the players."
"If I’m given this job one day, I can stay in contact with football, especially with Arsenal."
"I have a good relationship with the manager, that’s important. I can work with the players, I can give advice to the young players, so we can find a good relationship between me and the players."
Pires has not taken any coaching badges, and does not plan to in the near future. It looks like a role away from the training pitch could be his best way of staying in football.
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