Why making Diego Simeone the next Arsenal manager is even more important.
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone looks dejected after the penalty shootout
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has calmed calls for him to leave the club after addressing desires of fans to sign a centre-back and a striker in the transfer window.
As for the long term, it is important the club identify a potential successor, and Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone would be a perfect choice, working miracles with Atletico Madrid in recent seasons.
El Cholo is a big name manager missing from the Premier League’s all-star collection of bosses, and Arsenal now have one more reason to mark him at the top of their list to replace Wenger.
France’s Antoine Griezmann in action
That comes in the form of recent comments from Antoine Griezmann, with the French superstar this week explaining that the key to his future lies with Simeone.
He told SkySports: “The only doubt would be if Simeone leaves for PSG or wherever. I called him before extending my contract and he confirmed to me that he was staying. I can learn a lot from him.”
Atletico’s Antoine Griezmann scores their second goal from the penalty spot
Griezmann scored prolifically for France at Euro 2016 and was Atletico’s top scorer last season.
His new contract contains a £85 million release clause, The Sun report, which top clubs like Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain would not hesitate to pay.
Yet Arsenal are well off financially too, and if they had Simeone in charge, they would have a rel edge in the race to sign the superstar.
This might all seem a way off right now, but ensuring that Argentine hardman Simeone is in the dugout after Wenger one day leaves, is a matter of opportunity as well as importance.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger before the match
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