Arsenal’s second-biggest shareholder, Alisher Usmanov, "launched a stinging attack" on Owner Stan Kroenke and the club's board, and claimed Manager Arsène Wenger "should be allowed to choose his successor," according to Charlie Eccleshare of the London TELEGRAPH. Wenger "has come in for criticism in recent weeks for not clarifying his future and for overseeing a poor run of results," but Usmanov claimed the club's power brokers, especially majority shareholder Kroenke, "deserve a large share of the blame." Usmanov, who owns more than 30% of the club, said, "I do not think that the coach alone is to be blamed for what is happening." He added that the board and Kroenke "bear huge responsibility" for the "malaise that has set in at the Emirates." Usmanov: "Some continuity is needed. This includes the need to prepare a successor for Wenger, but in a very respectful way. I can suggest that Wenger himself can prepare a successor" (TELEGRAPH, 4/10). BLOOMBERG's Fedorinova & Panja reported Wenger's future "has proved a divisive issue among fans, leading to chants, banners and infighting at matches." Arsenal Chair Chips Keswick said in March that the decision over Wenger's future would be "mutual," without elaborating. Media reports in the U.K. "have suggested Arsenal is preparing to offload several members of its squad" and that Alexis Sánchez "may quit" (BLOOMBERG, 4/10). In Liverpool, Chris Beesley reported there has been a "long running power struggle at the London club" between Usmanov and Kroenke. Before Kroenke became majority shareholder, Usmanov "launched his own rival bid through Red & White Holdings" along with Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, "who has since sold his shares at Arsenal to Usmanov to finance his part ownership of Everton" (LIVERPOOL ECHO, 4/10).
