Robert Pires has claimed that he cannot "imagine" Arsene Wenger as England manager because the Arsenal boss prefers to be hands-on.
The 66-year-old has been touted as a possible contender for the role after Sam Allardyce was forced out after getting caught up in a media sting by The Telegraph.
Allardyce was secretly filmed by undercover reporters appearing to explain how to get around the Football Association's ban on third-party ownership of players.
Wenger, who recently celebrated 20 years in charge of Arsenal, has admitted that he could "one day" become England boss, but Pires believes that his former manager would miss the day-to-day workings of club football.
"Of course I see him and speak to him every morning but we don't talk about this," ESPN quotes Pires as saying. "A lot of people want to see Arsene Wenger as the manager of England but he has a contract with Arsenal, I don't know what happens at the end of the season but I understand the fans in England, they need a manager like Arsene Wenger, he is a great person and a great manager.
"The situation is simple, Wenger is the manager for Arsenal. I know him, he wants to go to the pitch every morning. This is the most important [thing for him]. If he takes this job, it's not the same. So, for the moment I cannot imagine Wenger working for England. This is my opinion.
"I see Arsene. He love the pitch every morning. This is like an obsession, it's a passion. You know manager for the national team is not really the same because he loves football. This is my opinion."
Wenger's contract at the Emirates expires next summer.
Danielle Joynson
