Arsene Wenger Reportedly Separates from Wife Annie

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has separated from his wife Annie, according to reports.

Per Jonathan Reilly in the Sun, the couple, who were in long-term relationship before marrying in 2010, have split after a prolonged period of unhappiness in their marriage.

Papers have reportedly been filed in Frenchman Wenger's hometown of Strasbourg that show "they have not been together since June of this year," according to Tom Sheen in the Independent.

Sheen also notes "the 'separe du corps' that has been signed is not a full divorce." Wenger, 65, will be expected to provide financial support to 59-year-old Annie. The couple have an 18-year-old daughter, Leah.

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A Sun source indicated the pair have agreed the financial terms of their separation, per Reilly: "They have divided up their assets and agreed a financial package to separate. They have not been happy for a while, and they decided this was the best course of action to take."

A French legal expert also told the newspaper that, by the terms of the agreement, the couple are no longer required to live together and "if the judgment is not overturned within two years, a divorce will be automatically granted."

Wenger has previously spoken of the strain his job put on his relationship with his wife.

In 2008 he admitted to having previously promised Annie he would quit as Gunners boss, per Sheen:

"

Ten years ago I said to my wife [Annie], 'Five more years and that’s all', and I am still here. It is difficult to find time to see them but there are jobs [which are worse]. You have guys who leave for work on Monday and come back on Friday. In my job I travel, but the problem is not so much the quantity of time you spend with your family, it is the quality.

"

Seven years on from those comments and Wenger is still manager at Arsenal after almost two decades in charge—he joined the north London club in 1996.

In May of last year he extended his contract further and is now tied to the club until 2017.