Everton have been linked with Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone, and Joey Barton suggests that Liverpool would be laughing at this speculation.
According to a recent Sky Sports report, Simeone is Everton owner Farhad Moshiri’s top managerial target.
The Argentine boss, though, has dismissed the prospect of him succeeding Ronald Koeman at Goodison Park, telling Sky Sports that his future is at Atletico.
Former Manchester City midfielder Barton has slammed Everton’s reported interest in Simeone, who has been in charge of Spanish club Atletico since 2011.
The Englishman, who now work as a pundit for talkSPORT, has also suggested that Liverpool fans must be laughing at Merseyside rivals Everton for thinking that they can get a manager of Simeone’s stature.
Barton told talkSPORT: “Diego Simeone? As if he’s going to join Everton! They’re not even in the Champions League, what is he going to leave Atletico Madrid for?
“It was embarrassing for the football club and embarrassing for the fans. Liverpool have got enough to laugh at without that load of nonsense coming out of the club.”
Liverpool are fifth in the Premier League table at the moment with 22 points from 12 matches, just a point behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
Meanwhile, Everton are currently 16th in the standings with 12 points from as many games, just three points above the relegation zone.
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