According to AS, Newcastle are eyeing an ambitious raid on Atlético Madrid with Diego Simeone and Director of Football Andrea Berta being targeted.
What’s the story?
Well, the Spanish news outlet believe Amanda Staveley and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia have been inspired by Atlético Madrid.
AS mention how Newcastle’s new owners admire how Simeone’s side broke the dominance of Barcelona and Real Madrid in La Liga.
As the Magpies look to gatecrash the Premier League’s top six themselves, it makes sense for PIF and Staveley to take a look at Atlético Madrid.
If Newcastle pulled this off, it would be incredible.
Atlético Madrid won their second La Liga title under Simeone last season, after making a number of smart moves in the market with Berta at the helm.
Berta signed Luis Suarez for just £5.5m, and the Uruguay international went on to score 21 goals in La Liga – that is just one example of the Director of Football’s fine work.
Would Diego Simeone be successful as Newcastle manager?
Over the last decade, few managers have done as good a job as Simeone – he would be a phenomenal option to replace Steve Bruce.
The 51-year-old has guided his Atlético Madrid side to two Europa League titles, two Champions League finals, two UEFA Super Cup titles, one Supercopa de España and one Copa del Rey, to go with his two La Liga titles.
Across his managerial career, Simeone has won 418 of his 742 games, averaging 1.93 points per game – a quite brilliant record.
The Argentine is also adaptable, and has managed to keep Atlético Madrid competitive for a number of years despite plenty of changes to his side.
If PIF can bring Simeone to Tyneside, it would be an incredible move.
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