Liverpool icon Robbie Fowler thinks suggestions from Gary Neville that Diego Simeone could be appointed as the next Manchester United manager are 'laughable'. It comes after key figures in the Old Trafford boardroom identified Erik ten Hag as their preferred candidate to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Aside from Ten Hag, there are other contenders for the United dugout — including Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel, amid ongoing issues at Chelsea. However, while Simeone has put together an impressive CV at Atletico and masterminded victory over United in the Champions League last 16 over two legs, Fowler argues there is no way that his methods would be embraced at Old Trafford.
Championing the Atletico manager, Neville had said: "Simeone should be a candidate, but it's not been achievable to get him out of Atletico Madrid. He is wedded in there, he is tied. But would be brilliant to see him in the Premier League. Fantastic coach, brutal in how he approaches the game, I think in every single way.
READ MORE: Four problems Erik ten Hag must solve at Manchester United if he is appointed
"He's tough and United need a tough manager. United need a manager who can compete with Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola — they're the best — they need someone who can stand on that touchline and feel equal to them and I think Simeone could."
In his latest column for The Mirror, former Liverpool striker Fowler said: "I laughed when I heard Gary Neville shouting that his former club should make Diego Simeone their next manager. Honestly. C'mon. I'm not saying he's anti-football, but some of the antics his team get up to, some of the horrible stuff they do and the tactics they pursue...
"Not at Manchester United. The fans would be calling it out within weeks and, even if he actually won things there, they wouldn't put up with it for long. United have a certain expectation about how they should be playing."
Fowler added: "Simeone doesn't fit with that. He doesn't fit with anyone who loves football. He essentially exists to stop opponents playing football, which no-one should welcome. And that's what I mean by identity. It's not enough to be simply winning - even if that helps.
"Jose Mourinho found that out at Old Trafford. Clubs need a fit with the manager, as well as a winning team, and his philosophy didn't fit."
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
