Arsene Wenger signs for Pro Evolution Soccer – and no, this isn't an April Fool

Arsene Wenger has a new job – but before any Arsenal fans get too excited, they should know it's one that won't affect his ability to take charge at home to Watford this weekend. Rather, the Frenchman has been appointed a Pro Evolution Soccer ambassador.

The role doesn't apply to the main console series – at least not yet. Instead Wenger is the new figurehead for free-to-play footy offering PES Club Manager, in which you develop squads and play out matches using elements of the main title's engine.

Wenger's role ties in with a roster update for all 5,000 players in the game, as well as a new 'Guild' system, enabling you to link up with pals to form your own Football Associations.

Wenger's signing will naturally lead to more calls for real managers on the touchline in both PES 2017 and FIFA 17. Neither has implemented such a feature as yet, although EA did include proper boss likenesses in the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of its World Cup and Euro spin-off titles – so is surely aware of their potential where authenticity is concerned.

PES Club Manager is out now for iOS and Android, while PES 2016's Euro 2016 DLC emerged last week across multiple formats.

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Ben Wilson

I'm GamesRadar's sports editor, and obsessed with NFL, WWE, MLB, AEW, and occasionally things that don't have a three-letter acronym – such as Chvrches, Bill Bryson, and Streets Of Rage 4. (All the Streets Of Rage games, actually.) Even after three decades I still have a soft spot for Euro Boss on the Amstrad CPC 464+.