Special One? No, Diego is the Simeone

AFTER 22 years of Arsene Wenger change is finally on the way at Arsenal.

Change is certainly what Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone would represent – as his 13th-minute sending-off underlined.

Unlike his predominantly cool and classy opposite number, Simeone was an explosion waiting to happen on the sidelines. And minutes after his side were reduced to 10 men, the angry Argentine duly erupted when his side were denied a free-kick.

Fired-up and furious, Simeone hurled expletives in Spanish at the referee and was sent to the stands, from where he watched the rest of the game. In the short time he was there, Simeone’s demonstrative antics (above) made him almost as watchable as the match.

He’d certainly be a box-office addition to the Premier League.

For those who would love to see Simeone replace Arsene Wenger, the attraction is obvious. The culture of comfort that has developed under Wenger would be no more under Simeone due to his obsessive nature.

Maximum effort at all times is enforced by his fitness guru Oscar Ortega, famous in Spain for his punishing methods. But Simeone’s approach is defence first.

Gunners bigwig Ivan Gazidis has promised that the next man will play exciting football and continue the values of Wenger.

And that clash of managerial styles means the Diego disciples are likely to be disappointed.