Arsene Wenger responds to Carlo Ancelotti speculation

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has insisted that it is up to the club's hierarchy to decide on his long-term successor.

Italian outlet Premium Sport recently suggested that Carlo Ancelotti would prefer taking up the Gunners job following his dismissal from Bayern Munich last month.

Despite this, the 58-year-old has ruled out a return to coaching for the 2017/18 season, although he is said to prefer a Premier League comeback next term.

Speaking to BeIN Sports, Wenger clarified that he will not pick his potential successor, and the job will be left to the Gunners' board.

"I don't know who will replace me at Arsenal. When you're a manager for a club you have to work like you're there forever," he said. "The job of my board is to choose the next manager. I don't want to do the job of the board."

Ancelotti has previous Premier League experience with Chelsea with whom he celebrated a League and FA Cup double in his maiden season in 2009/10.

Antonio Conte's future at Stamford Bridge has been thrown into doubt in recent weeks, and Ancelotti could yet replace his compatriot in west London next season.

Arsene Wenger is currently contracted to Arsenal until June 2019, and any approach for Ancelotti is dependent on the Frenchman calling time on his reign.