Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has reiterated his desire to manage next season as he believes “retirement is dying” for people of his age.
Wenger, 67, has been criticised by some fans after the Gunners slipped to sixth in the Premier League following four defeats in their past five games.
A 10-2 aggregate loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League added to the pressure on the Frenchman.
But Wenger, who has been at Arsenal since 1996, said: “I will not retire.”
His contract expires at the end of the season but the club has offered a new two-year deal. Wenger has said he will make a decision on his future “very soon”.
“Retiring is for young people,” said Wenger, speaking before Sunday’s league match at home to Manchester City.
“For old people retirement is dying. I still watch every football game. I find it interesting.”
Wenger is into his 21st year as Arsenal manager but he has not led the Gunners to a Premier League title in 13 years.
“Of course I’m as hungry,” he said. “I carry a bit more pressure on my shoulders than 20 years ago – but the hunger is exactly the same.
“When you see what the club was and what it is today – when I arrived we were seven people [members of staff], we are 700 today.”
He added: “I hate defeat. I can understand the fans that are unhappy with every defeat but the only way to have victory is to stick together with the fans and give absolutely everything until the end of the season, that’s all we can do.”
