Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger concedes it is too late to consider France job

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes it is too late to consider the possibility of coaching his native France. The 66-year-old is the longest-serving manager in European football after recently completing his 20th season in charge of the Gunners, but it remains doubtful that he will remain beyond the end of his current contract after enduring increasing criticism from frustrated supporters who believe a fresh approach is long overdue in order for the club to return to title contention.

Wenger, who has never finished outside the Premier League's top four, during his two decades in English football, was last month forced to angrily dismiss mounting media speculation that he will be offered a new two-year extension to prolong his stay at the Emirates Stadium even further.

He also previously left the door open to the prospect of venturing into international management at some point in the future, although that now seems very unlikely.

"I think this time is gone now for me," he told BeIN SPORTS. "I've been asked a few times to do it, but I was always busy somewhere else.

"I just want my country to do well and to have a good tournament because at the moment this country's going through a very difficult time. We have been hit hard through terrorism, through strikes and through many unrests that we have. The country's a bit flat mentally at the moment and they need a bit of happiness. Hopefully this tournament can give it to the country."

Hosts France have yet to really set the pulses racing at Euro 2016 and needed preciously late goals from Dimitri Payet and Antoine Griezmann to see off unfancied Romania and Albania. Didier Deschamps' side topped Group A, following a goalless draw with Switzerland last weekend and move on to Lyon this Sunday (26 June) for a last-16 meeting with the Republic of Ireland. Their route to the final, should they successfully negotiate that tie, will include one of Spain or Italy and likely world champions Germany.