Guardian

Steve Bould enjoyed a successful playing career and a spell as youth-team coach with Arsenal.

Arsenal have confirmed the appointment of Steve Bould as Arsène Wenger’s No2 after Pat Rice announced he is to retire at the end of the season, ending a 44-year association with the north London club.

Bould, who made 372 appearances and won three league titles at the heart of the Arsenal defence over an 11-year career at the club, will be promoted from his current position as a youth-team coach.

“Steve’s qualities are that he has the experience of the top-level game,” Wenger said of the 49‑year-old. “He has managed here, he knows our football philosophy and therefore there will be a continuity. We always want to give an advantage to people who know how we work, how we want to coach.”

The Arsenal manager praised Rice, a club stalwart of 528 games who had enjoyed a brief spell as caretaker manager between Bruce Rioch’s departure in 1996 and Wenger’s own appointment, for his contribution during the 64-year-old’s lengthy spell with the club. “It is difficult to measure his contribution, but he has just been tremendous,” the Frenchman said.

“Arsenal are privileged to have had him as a player, a captain and as a coach.

“It is important when you come from abroad to have an assistant who knows the culture of the club and the culture of the country. Pat knew Arsenal well. Nobody more than Pat Rice is a fighter. In every single game he is ready for a fight. He kicked me a few times during the games and I feel that in every single game he is ready to give absolutely everything – as a player or a coach – to win the game, and that is what you want.”