Gullit: “Simeone is one of the best coaches in the world”

The former Dutch footballer Ruud Gullit defended this Monday that Diego Pablo Simeone, coach of Atlético de Madrid, “is one of the best coaches in the world” and “he is not given the credit he deserves”, at the same time that he mentioned “France and Argentina” as the main candidates for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

“I would like to say that Simeone is one of the best coaches in the world of football, he is not given the credit he deserves, he has been doing what he does for a long time. He always knows how to motivate his players,” praised the champion of two European Cups with AC Milan at the press conference held at the Cibeles Palace on the occasion of the Laureus Awards Gala in Madrid.

The Dutchman, ambassador of the Academy, also analyzed the final of the Copa del Rey Mapfre held in La Cartuja and pointed out that perhaps the rojiblancos deserved more. “In the second half of the final they played phenomenally, but in football you don’t always get what you deserve. They can reach the Champions League final and if they achieve it it will be something unique for them,” he continued.

Precisely, regarding the Champions League, he highlighted that Paris Saint-Germain “plays fabulously”, because “they have the best midfielders and if you want to win you must have strong midfielders”. “Vitinha is already considered one of the best players in the world, it is a team full of talent, but they work hard too, that is one of the secrets,” he analyzed.

“I don’t have a crystal ball, but for me the final should be PSG-Bayern, it’s a shame that they meet in the semi-finals, with a very similar game. Whoever wins of these two will surely be the final winner” said the 1988 Euro champion with the Netherlands.

Furthermore, regarding Italy’s absence from its third consecutive World Cup, he believes that “they have forgotten their DNA, which is built from defense.” “The last time they won was with a very strong defense. They don’t have players to play football that is not in their DNA. I hope they can return to the level they deserve,” he hoped, after mentioning “France and Argentina” as favorites for the World Cup, although “The Netherlands is also close.”

Finally, Gullit addressed the change in football compared to his time. “Before the players were bigger, now they are smaller. And football is faster, but tactically it is the same, no one has invented anything new. It is always played with the same tactics. And running is not always good, the less you run, the more contact you have with the ball,” he concluded.