Argentina World Cup keeper Emiliano Martinez says Michael Beale was the manager in all but name at Aston Villa as he admitted having never seen an assistant take on such responsibility during his career.
The 30-year-old talked up Beale’s role at Villa Park during his spell with Steven Gerrard after following the Liverpool and England icon to the Midlands from Rangers before going out on his at Queens Park Rangers. Beale is now on the brink of landing the Ibrox managerial role just a year after leaving the Light Blues and Martinez’s interview which outlined Beale’s contribution might allay fears of fans who have fears over his inexperience as a boss on his own.
Former Arsenal shot-stopper Martinez - who featured for Argentina in their shock Qatar 2022 defeat to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday - said of Beale’s role: “It’s the first time probably in probably a 14 or 15 year career that the assistant coach does all the talking. Michael Beale knows so much about football it’s just incredible. He does all the training sessions, he takes the important meetings - obviously Stevie G talks - but at every club the manager (usually) does the talking and the assistant helps. But with Michael we felt him and Steven G both were managers.
They were both respected, Macca as well. It wasn’t just about Steven G but it was about his team which is really good.”
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