It's surely only a matter of time before Arsene Wenger returns to management.

Le Professeur's 22-year spell at Arsenal came to an end in May and he has since been linked with a host of jobs.

Wenger, who recently turned 69, has rebuffed speculation he will be taking over from Gennaro Gattuso at AC Milan.

Indeed, the Frenchman has been fairly elusive about his future plans, telling Sky Sports News only that he plans to take up a new post "at the beginning of the year".

“It will seem odd to go somewhere else, but I can’t tell you (where) because I don’t know where I’ll be," he added.

"I’ll be somewhere – but I don’t know where."

While his stock fell considerably in his final years in north London, he is still revered for winning three Premier League titles, seven FA Cups, and of course, masterminding the Gunners 'Invincible' season in 2003/04.

That's why he is still highly sought-after, but it has all but been confirmed that we won't be seeing Wenger in English football again.

Wenger said no 

The Telegraph report that he was offered the Fulham job prior to the sacking of Slavisa Jokanovic. The post has since been filled by another title-winner in Claudio Ranieri.

However, Wenger 'politely declined', it is claimed, because he has vowed not to manage another Premier League club after leaving Arsenal.

The newspaper believe Bayern Munich is a possible option, as the Bavarians sit seven points off the top of the Bundesliga under beleaguered Niko Kovač.

In a statement confirming Ranieri's appointment, Fulham confirmed they had spoken to other candidates:

“[Fulham owner Shahid] Khan said he and his son Tony Khan, Vice Chairman and Director of Football Operations at FFC, considered and spoke with a number of potential candidates within the past week, with Ranieri becoming their mutual and obvious choice.

"Tony Khan and his staff will continue to oversee First Team player recruitment and contractual agreements, and he will work closely with Ranieri.”

The prospect of Wenger taking on the league's basement club as they battle to salvage their season would certainly have been an intriguing one.

It wouldn't have been out of the realms of possibility either, given his love of living in London.

It's admirable, nonetheless, that he is still so emotionally connected to Arsenal, even now he has stepped away from the club. 

Would Wenger have been a good appointment for Fulham? Have your say in the comments.