No happily ever after for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has separated with his wife Annie Wenger, reports to UK webloid The Sun.

The revelation may not really be big news since the two have been living separately since June last year, though the ‘separation of bodies’ judgment by a judge in Paris means they are now free to see other people.

The focal interest, however, is why Wenger and Annie, who have an 18-year-old daughter, are separating.

According to reports in the international media, the couple has not been living “happily ever after” and has decided that separation is the best way out.

The marriage between the current longest serving boss in the English Premier League and Annie started off on the rocks after reports emerged that Wenger had been seeing French rapper Soania Tatar, then 39, just weeks before their marriage.

Wenger later admitted that the high pressure that comes with his job as a manager of one of the top English clubs had made it difficult to hold his marriage together.

The document, known in French as ‘séparé du corps’  is not a full divorce but a legal separation which means that the couple are not legally obliged to live together.

“This is a legal separation which means the couple is not legally obliged to live together and they can have separate lives and no longer have intimate relations,” a legal expert said.

Wenger will however still be required to support Annie financially together with their 18-year-old daughter.

“He will have to still keep his responsibility to look after the family. If the judgment is not overturned within two years, a divorce will be automatically granted.

It is reported that Wenger and Annie have separated their assets and agreed a financial package, though it is not clear whether they still live together in London at their mansion close to Arsenal’s training ground.

One of the most flowered moments for the couple was when Wenger received an OBE award with his wife by his side at the Foreign and Commonwealth office in 2003.

They have not been spotted together in public since October 2013.

The plot twist in the story is what is shocking: at one point in 2008 Wenger was ready to quit football for his wife. In light of the recent happenings, he has definitely rescinded that decision.

Wenger has been manager of Arsenal for 19 years a time during which he has won 417 out of 720 premier league matches, three premier league titles, six FA cups, and five community shields.

Wenger has been feted manager of the month 14 times and manager of the year thrice.

Arsenal has finished in the top four in all the season that Wenger has been in charge.

The Arsenal manager has faced several challenges this season with his team currently lying 5th in the EPL log with 10 points.