Sky Sports pundit and former Man Utd captain Gary Neville wants the club to appoint Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone as Ruben Amorim’s permanent successor.

Speaking about the club’s search for a new head coach, Neville said that the Red Devils should push the boat out to appoint one of the best in the world:

“Simeone is a 4-4-2 beast of a manager who plays aggressive and attacking [football], it’s a bit defensive at times, but it’s aggressive. Manchester United have spent £20m a year on two or three players a year on wages.”

“Why not just spend £20m a year on a manager and get the best manager in the world, whether that’s Simeone or Valverde – whoever it is – go and get the best manager in the world Manchester United can get.”

“Invest all the money in that; I think the manager is the most important appointment at any football club, everyone thinks that, it’s not just me.”

Simeone is the complete antithesis of what Man Utd need

It is a somewhat strange recommendation from Neville. While there can be no doubting Simeone’s pedigree, he is not attack-minded by any stretch of the imagination.

He has plenty in common with Jose Mourinho in terms of his style of play, which has been described as an “anti-football” approach. It would be counter to United’s philosophy of playing free-flowing attacking football.

Who are the contenders to replace Amorim long-term?

Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner is among the frontrunners, while Roberto De Zerbi, Kieran McKenna, Gareth Southgate and Enzo Maresca have been mentioned as other potential candidates.

The focus for now is on appointing an interim head coach until the end of the season. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick have both been approached to take up that role.

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