PIF are eyeing a raid on Atletico Madrid to take Diego Simone and sporting director Andrea Berta to Newcastle, according to AS.
The Magpies have now parted ways with Steve Bruce, with Graeme Jones becoming caretaker boss.
Newcastle are second bottom of the table. Something needed to change, and it is about time that the club changed manager.
But who will be the 60-year-old’s replacement? Lots of big managers have been linked; with Simeone’s name being mentioned in Spain before the news of Bruce’s exit.
The 51-year-old has overseen 538 games as the manager of Atletico Madrid. He has won two league titles, a Spanish cup, two Europa League titles and reached the final of the Champions League twice.
Atletico are a team he holds dear to his heart. As a result, prising him away from Wanda Metropolitano won’t come easily.
This would be an ambitious move, however. Simeone and Berta have both done great things in Spain and at some point may fancy a new challenge.
The task for Newcastle’s new owners is to try and convince such a respected manager that the St James’ Park project is for him.
Given that the Magpies are currently embroiled in a relegation battle; attracting an elite manager of this ilk won’t be easy.
Unrealistic: Simeone surely won’t swap Atletico for Newcastle
For Newcastle fans, it’s perhaps a case of anyone but Bruce.
This does seem highly unlikely. The source isn’t the best, whilst Simeone will have unfinished accomplishments that he wants to achieve with the club he called his own.
Simeone’s football isn’t the most attractive in the world and perhaps Newcastle need someone to come in and overhaul the strategy at this moment in time.
Right now, a firefighter is required. A sound coach, with experience of playing attacking, free-flowing football is wanted by supporters of the club.
Simeone’s dogged style is unlikely to please too many fans and perhaps, at least for now, Newcastle should be looking elsewhere.
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