Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger rules out Real Madrid job

Arsene Wenger has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant Real Madrid job as he does not intend to return to management until next year.

The 69-year-old has been out of work since departing Arsenal at the end of last season, bringing to an end a 22-season stint in North London.

Wenger has been touted as a possible target for Madrid, who are seeking a new head coach following the sacking of Julen Lopetegui earlier this week.

However, speaking to talkSPORT at the launch of former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein's 'Twinning Project', the Frenchman reiterated that he will wait until 2019 before making his return to football.

"Look, I am not the Real Madrid manager, I am here today to support David Dein," he said. "Overall I don't know what I will do next year, but I will be back in football and back in sport.

"I have huge experience and a huge desire to share what I know about the game and what is important in the game with people who need it. Where? I don't know, but only in the New Year."

Antonio Conte and Mauricio Pochettino are the current frontrunners to replace Lopetegui at the Bernabeu.