According to ESPN, Jose Mourinho has expressed his delight at the news of Arsene Wenger being on the verge of signing a new contract with Arsenal to extend his stay at the London club, and has recommended other clubs to follow the philosophy of engaging managers long term.

Wenger has been synonymous with Arsenal for the past 18 years, winning numerous trophies for the club and instilling the passing tradition that the club is known for. The Frenchman built the ‘Invincibles’ during his time, a team that won the Barclays Premier League title without losing.

Arsenal have gone nearly a decade without a trophy, and there had been immense pressure on Wenger’s shoulders to deliver success again, and the club’s faith in the manager is reaping its rewards, as the Gunners have sat within the top three of the league throughout this season.

Wenger was linked with a move to his native France, where Paris Saint Germain were interested in his services with new owners, but the manager was convinced to stay on for another season. A new contract should be signed within the next few weeks, as the Gunners close in on another league title.