Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has tipped Arsene Wenger to make his return to management in the near future.

The Frenchman has been out of work since ending his 22-year reign as Gunners boss at the end of the 2017-18 season.

Wenger has been touted with the Real Madrid job and an upstairs role at Paris Saint-Germain, but Petit - who spent three seasons playing under the 69-year-old - believes that replacing Niko Kovac at Bayern Munich is a more realistic option.

"He is going to manage soon. Yes, soon," he is quoted as saying by The Sun. "I had a conversation three weeks ago when I was in Dubai. He was with a friend of mine.

"There are big rumours in France about him taking over as Bayern Munich manager. Some of them said he is going to go to Madrid, I don't believe in it. Some of them said there is big things at Paris Saint-Germain as a sporting director.

"You've got big names there. Can you imagine if you put Arsene Wenger there? I don't believe in it. I still believe Arsene is passionate about the field, working with the players. This is something really important for him.

"It's vital, so I don't see him working in the offices. He could, he has the knowledge and the intelligence to do that. He still has experience to give on the pitch."

Bayern are fourth in the Bundesliga, nine points adrift of leaders Borussia Dortmund after 13 matches.