Maur than a boss to us
DIEGO JOINS UNITED ARGIE BARGIE
Aug 2018: Man United 0 Tottenham 3 Apr 2018: Man United 2 Tottenham 1 Jan 2018: Tottenham 2 Man United 0 Oct 2017: Man United 1 Tottenham 0 May 2017: Tottenham 2 Man United 1
Tottenham – 52 wins Man United – 89 wins Draws – 49 MANCHESTER UNITED have sounded out Diego Simeone about becoming their new manager.
The Atletico Madrid boss, 48 (left) is on a shortlist of candidates as United search for Jose Mourinho’s long-term successor. Simeone is in talks with the La Liga side about extending his contract in the Spanish capital. His deal ends in 18 months’ time and Atletico want him to agree to another year. The Argentine’s sister, Natalia, acts as his agent and has been in Madrid in the past HARRY KANE has summed up the ingredients that make Mauricio Pochettino such a special manager.
And the England skipper underlined exactly why the Tottenham coach is being coveted by the two biggest clubs in the game. Kane and Co host Manchester United this afternoon at Wembley in a clash many will view as the latest audition for Pochettino, 46, to one day assume the reins at Old Trafford. But while understandably reluctant to comment on the speculation swirling around
United’s apparent determination to land the ex-Espanyol and Southampton coach next summer, Kane did open up on the Argentine’s unique talents.
He is seen as a brilliant coach, inspirational mentor and thoroughly decent bloke always prepared to engage with his players – both on a professional and personal level. Add in his ability to have a laugh with his squad and you can see the characteristics which put the Totenham boss – also wanted by Real Madrid – in a class of his own. Kane, Spurs’ fourth-highest all-time scorer with 160 goals in 243 games, said: “He’s a great manager but he’s also a great guy off the pitch as well.
“He’s a great personality. You can have a bit of banter with him. He treats you like a friend but week to discuss his new terms with Atletico, with the club hoping to reach an agreement very soon.
But that has not stopped intermediaries claiming to be working on behalf of United contacting Simeone’s camp to gauge his interest in the Old Trafford job.
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino, whose side host United at Wembley today, is the leading candidate but United will want to he earns that respect from you. He’s great to talk to but most importantly he is a great coach – and we all want to play for him.”
Asked if the players take note of Poch’s trademark press conferences when he delivers cryptic, between-the-lines messages about the club’s future, Kane admitted they do.
“Now and then,” said the prolific hitman (inset with Pochettino) whose penalty secured a 1-0 midweek win against Chelsea in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
“It’s hard not to, because you see it on Sky Sports News and social media. We’re fully behind the manager and we love the way he works.” Before Poch’s arrival in June 2014, Spurs were deemed a soft touch by the Premier League elite – particularly United.
But having beaten the Reds in their last two outings, including a 3-0 win at Old Trafford in August, that unwanted label looks dead and buried. High time then that the north Londoners, still chasing a possible Quadruple, climbed to the next level and won some silverware, according to Kane. Ahead of the visit of United, the World Cup Golden Boot winner said: “We were always underdogs going into these games. Now, in some we’re favourites – especially at home. “United have an amazing history and have won a lot more trophies than Tottenham. What we have done, with Mauricio and the staff, is change the perception of Spurs. We’re at the stage where we have a mature team. It’s down to us to take another step forward. “We must be consistent in these big games and big competitions. We’re still in all the competitions now it’s about turning that into a trophy.” consider every option available to them.
They are well aware that even if Pochettino indicates a willingness to join them, there are no guarantees they will be able to prise him away from White Hart Lane.
Spurs supremo Daniel Levy is understood to have slapped a minimum £50million price tag on his manager.
And Pochettino’s former Argentina team-mate would be a hugely credible alternative.