Wenger confirms Bould move

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he will be promoting from within and appointing Steve Bould as his new assistant manager.

Youth team coach to assist Gunners boss from next season

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he will be promoting from within and appointing Steve Bould as his new assistant manager. The Arsenal boss will be working with a slightly different backroom team in 2012/13 following the announcement that Pat Rice is to leave his role with the club. Rice is to retire after 44 years of loyal service to the Gunners and will walk away at the end of the season. Wenger has moved quickly to fill the void and did not have to look far for a new right-hand man. Bould, who spent 11 years of his playing career with Arsenal, has been part of the Gunners' coaching set-up since 2001.

Qualities

He has enjoyed notable success with the youth teams and Wenger is confident he can do a similar job with the senior stars. "His qualities are that he has experience of the top-level game and he has managed here," said the French tactician. "He knows our football philosophy and therefore there will be continuity. "He chose after his career to coach here at the club and we always want to give an advantage to people who know how we work, how we want to coach."