Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp takes huge step towards emotional return to Gunners after ending six-year football exile
DENNIS BERGKAMP has opened the door to an emotional return to Arsenal – after declaring his aim to end a six-year exile from football.
The Dutch superstar won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups during a glorious 11-year spell with the Gunners.
Amsterdam-born Bergkamp went on to spend six years with first club Ajax as their assistant manager before being sacked in 2017.
The 79-cap international has not worked in football since then.
But Bergkamp, 54, has now stated his intention to get back into coaching.
And that could yet lead to a new role for the former striker at the Emirates, which boasts a statue in his honour.
Bergkamp told Dutch media: “I’m itching to get back into football once more.
“I don’t think I am good enough to be a head coach, as I don’t think am sufficiently interested to want to manage everything.
“I respect people who can do this, but I prefer a different role – in between the youth squad and the first team.
“I find the best job to be in developing players. My role in acting as a bridge for youth-team players in getting to the first eleven suited me the best.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFER
“That was also the way I used to play – between the lines! I was neither a striker nor a midfielder.
“I found this to be a great job while I was at Ajax.
“I saw the young prospects coming through, discussed them with the youth coaches and the academy head, and I also had the ear of the head coach.
“I hope for a similar role in the future if I get back into football – and I think it will happen.
“This is one of my chief ambitions, as I think it is something I can do well.”
Signed from Inter Milan in 1995, Bergkamp went on to score 120 goals in 423 Arsenal appearances before retiring in 2006.
He was nicknamed the Non-Flying Dutchman after famously refusing to travel by plane.
ARSENAL NEWS LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE ONGOINGS FROM THE EMIRATES