Krishnan Sreekumar
Manchester United sent Diego Simeone warning by former star Wes Brown as manager hunt continues
Speaking on Manchester United’s The Debate (h/t Manchester Evening News), former Manchester United star Wes Brown said that he was unsure whether Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone would be a perfect fit at the club.
United are on the hunt for a new permanent manager in the summer to replace incumbent boss Ralf Rangnick, who has been appointed on an interim basis until the end of the season to guide the team to a top-four spot in the league and finish strongly.
Brown, who won 5 Premier League titles with United between 1996 and 2011, said that he was not sure whether the Red Devils would like the style of play that Simeone adapts, but admitted that he was a great boss nonetheless.
“I’m not sure we’ll like the way Simeone plays. But he’s a great manager, he’s got his team playing how he likes, he’s gone in that’s how he plays.”
Simeone, if appointed, would take over the role from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was in charge of the club for nearly three years. The Norwegian was given the job permanently after just a few months of him being given the manager’s hot seat on an interim basis.
“He is a class manager”
Simeone recently came up against United in the Champions League, with the Argentine masterminding a 2-1 victory on aggregate to send his side to the quarterfinals of the competition while ensuring that the Old Trafford side goes yet another campaign without winning a trophy. The last 30 minutes of the second leg, where Atletico led the tie, was a perfect summation of Simeone’s will to win- with Atletico defending like warriors and frustratingly breaking up play at any possible chance.
Brown said that the Atletico boss was capable of getting his vision and instructions across to his players, which makes them win games, but was not convinced whether it was the ideal approach that his former side would take.
“He’s got all the players understanding that and they win games by it. Whether that’s ideal for Manchester United – I don’t think it is. But at the same time, he is a class manager.”
Simeone is no doubt an elite head coach, having led his side to a La Liga title last season and managing a quarterfinal appearance in the Champions League so far this term. He has won the league title before as well, which is no easy task given that Barcelona and Real Madrid are always in his way.
In Europe as well, the Spanish side has been successful, winning a couple of Europa League titles. If not for city rivals Real Madrid, Simeone would also have had two Champions League crowns in his trophy cabinet- losing to Los Galacticos first in 2014 and then in 2016.
More Manchester United News
- Manchester United discuss alternative candidates for the managerial position despite Erik ten Hag interview
- Paul Pogba waiting for Manchester United to appoint new manager before making a decision on his future
- PSG could avoid compensation if Mauricio Pochettino departs for Manchester United
Clearly, the Argentine has a knack for winning trophies and getting the best out of his stars. Not just this, but most importantly, he has been doing the job consistently for a long time – something that is rare given how short managers can last at one club in the modern game.
With United on a five-year trophy drought at the moment, perhaps Simeone should be looked at as a potential candidate for the managerial job. Brown may have doubts regarding his style of play, but given the dire trophy situation at the Theatre of Dreams, it may be best to put these concerns away and aim for glory.
