MY ACCOUNT
Gary Neville agreed with Jurgen Klopp’s verdict on Tottenham under Antonio Conte, believing it shows the coach was not “the right fit” for Manchester United.
United have been linked with Conte on numerous occasions in recent seasons as they have moved from manager to manager since Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
The Red Devils have not won the Premier League since Ferguson’s final campaign in 2012-13, while Conte has claimed three league titles with three clubs in two countries over the same period.
Now he is seeking to guide Spurs back into the Champions League, frustrating Liverpool to earn a precious 1-1 draw at Anfield on Saturday.
But the manner in which Conte sets his teams up has been the source of some debate since that match, as Liverpool manager Klopp questioned the tactics employed by his opposite number afterwards. Tottenham had just 34.5 per cent of possession against Liverpool, relying on counter-attacking qualities.
“I don’t like this kind of football,” Klopp said. “But that’s my personal problem. I think they’re world class, and I think they should do more for the game.”
Klopp has the backing of former United captain Neville, who shared a clip of the German’s news conference on Twitter as he suggested Conte’s style of football would not work at Old Trafford.
“I respect Conte and his football enormously, but this Klopp interview gives the clear reason why he wasn’t the right fit for United,” Neville wrote.
Former Liverpool man Jamie Carragher, Neville’s Sky Sports colleague, replied with evidence of the ex-United man calling for the appointment of Diego Simeone, the Atletico Madrid coach whose tactics might also be considered negative.
But Neville insisted Conte and Simeone were not comparable, suggesting the Atletico boss would work well at United.
“Simeone 4-4-2 aggressive style. Proper United that,” Neville responded. “Conte wing backs? No…”
