Architect behind a dynasty

During his 24 years with Arsenal, David Dein was arguably one of the most important figures at any club in Europe. Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images

Until recently, David Dein was one of the most powerful men in soccer. The former vice chairman of Arsenal was behind building one of the strongest brands in the game, ran the G-14 coalition of Europe's biggest clubs and, in 1996, hired a little-known Frenchman by the name of Arsène Wenger.

During Dein's time in the executive suite, Arsenal won three English Premier League titles, four FA Cups and reached the Champions League final once, in 2006. Last August, he left Arsenal after a falling out with club management as American billionaire and Colorado Rapids owner Stan Kroenke increased his stake in Arsenal; Dein reportedly favored the foreign investment.

But he hasn't disappeared entirely. World Soccer's Keir Radnedge talks with Dein about Arsenal, foreign investment in the Premiership, club vs. country, English soccer and a host of other topics.

World Soccer: Do you miss being directly involved in soccer?

Dein: Categorically, yes. Football's been part of my life, starting as a fan, at the age of about eight, and then spending nearly 25 years at Arsenal, and of course being involved with the politics of it all. Then representing Arsenal at Premier League meetings and the Premier League itself inside the FA, not to mention my work with UEFA, FIFA and G-14.

Now I am chairman of Red and White Holdings, which is the group to whom I sold my own Arsenal shares and which is now the single largest shareholder [24.2 percent]. I go to almost all Arsenal matches and undertake many speaking engagements at conferences and schools. Nothing's changed as far as that is concerned. I still see many games elsewhere, too. For example, earlier this year I spent two weeks at the African Cup of Nations in Ghana. It was wonderful -- and everyone so well-behaved, by the way.

World Soccer: Where do you watch Arsenal games from now?

Dein: From an executive box -- which is a very comfortable environment but a different daily routine. I used to be the first one there and the last to leave. But I've always supported them and will go on doing so.

World Soccer: Presumably you miss the Arsenal work even more than the work with the FA and UEFA?

Dein: Well, it's all wrapped up together. But I do miss it, the day-to-day involvement. But life goes on. I've been flattered by the approaches I have had from other major clubs from abroad as well as in England. But I couldn't be involved in any other club.

World Soccer: Stick of rock syndrome, then. You have Arsenal running through you?

Dein: Yes, that's it, though during the last six months various chairmen have come to ask for assistance and consultation and I have given them as much help as I can.

World Soccer: Do you miss working with Arsène Wenger?

Dein: Yes. I see Arsène regularly. He is a close friend and we go back a long way. I speak to him regularly and our friendship will never alter hopefully, because he is a neighbor and we have been very close and we had a very special working relationship, nearly 11 glorious years.

I call him the miracle worker. Arsène brought a whole new dimension to the club. In a lot of clubs, there was a drinking culture. He changed players' dietary habits and training habits. Now they are fitter than ever before and technically more adept than ever before. The game is much quicker. He loves this expression: explosive pace. He loves to see players running at defenses. I could talk about Arsène for ages. He is a remarkable guy.

World Soccer: Can Arsenal survive after Wenger?

Dein: When he and I worked together over nearly 11 years -- of course, I brought him into the club -- our net expenditure was less than $60 million. Some clubs spend that on one player. So that's an extraordinary record and an extraordinary balancing act, to build a stadium and finance it but still keep the team successful and qualifying for the Champions League every year.