Manchester United face a busy summer as they look to improve their squad to mount a serious Premier League title challenge once more. But they need to sort out their managerial situation first.
Michael Carrick was handed the reins on an interim basis in January, following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim as head coach.
And the Englishman is already staking his claim for the role permanently, changing United's fortunes around in double-quick time. United have won five of the six games for which Carrick has been in charge and is sure to give Sir Jim Ratcliffe food for thought come the summer.
Diego Simeone Is A Candidate To Take Over
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone reacts vs Liverpool
Carrick's turnaround proves United have the players already capable of mounting a challenge at the top of the table and with a few more additions they could be serious title challengers once more.
But before they make moves in the transfer market, they will want to have a new permanent manager in place and one of the names that has flown under the radar, but is being considered at Old Trafford, is that of Diego Simeone.
The Manchester Evening News report that Simeone is a potential candidate for United, and that his current contract at Atletico Madrid expiring in 2027 could make it easier for the Red Devils to complete a deal at a relatively good price in the summer.
When Manchester United Want To Make Decision On New Manager
Michael Carrick
The report also states that United want a new manager in place at the start of the summer, to give the new man the tools to put the squad he wants together and have time to get them playing his way.
Simeone has been at Atletico Madrid for 15 years, proving to be incredibly successful in that time.
He has lifted the La Liga title twice with Atletico, as well as the Copa Del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana. Atletico have also won the UEFA Europa League twice and the Super Cup twice under Simeone and while they have not managed to lift the Champions League trophy aloft, they have been runners-up twice, proving just how good a manager he is.
Diego Simeone Is Loved By His Players
diego simeone atletico madrid
According to ChatGPT, players often speak about Simeone’s leadership, tactical influence, emotional intensity, and ability to extract maximum effort - which explains why many regard him as a defining coach in their careers and in Atletico Madrid’s modern history.
Former Atletico Madrid star Tiago once described Simeone as "like a God".
Speaking in 2014, he said: "I think for us, for all the club, he's like a God. He arrived to the club and changed everything. What he says comes true. If he asks him to jump from a bridge, we jump. I think he knows a lot of football. We as a group follow him, and we're very proud to have him as a coach."
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry also once said Simeone was a "reference for all coaches".
michael carrick Related
Man Utd Next Manager: 4-Man Shortlist to Replace Michael Carrick Includes Huge Names
Michael Carrick is in charge at Manchester United until the end of the season - but the club have drawn up an ambitious shortlist to replace him.