Wenger pledges to see out contract

LONDON COLNEY, England, Apr 20 (Reuters) Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger pledged today to complete his contract to the end of next season and to continue to develop the young Arsenal team he and David Dein had created.

Former vice-chairman David Dein quit the club on Wednesday after 24 years because of ''irreconcilable differences'' with the rest of the board over the involvement of American tycoon Stan Kroenke, who has bought an 11 percent stake in the club.

Wenger paid a warm tribute to Dein. ''We have lost a man of class, intelligence and competence who made a great contribution to this club,'' he said.

Wenger said he was aware of Arsenal fans concerns following Dein's departure. He said ''I will complete my contract so I am going to stay here until 2008. I will continue to give my best as I always have. If this had not happened, people would not be asking me these questions about my contract.'' He said he and the players would attempt to win every remaining match this season and he believed they had the character and talent to do so.

''If you finish this season strongly, then you have a much better chance to start the next season strongly too.'' He said he had spoken to Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood and that the appointment of a football director was likely as a replacement for Dein. Wenger said, ''I will need some help. I will have to think about that appointment.'' REUTERS TB HS1935