‘Formidable’ Newcastle star could cost former manager his job as top display leaves European club ‘longing’

Newcastle United’s signing of Kieran Trippier may contribute to the sacking of Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid, as the Spanish giants have been left ‘longing’ after him.

Trippier raised eyebrows by opting to leave England in July 2019. He joined Atleti in a deal BBC Sport claim to have been worth £20million.

The right-back made 86 appearances for the La Liga side, failing to register a goal but still chipping in with 11 assists.

He played 28 times as Atleti won the Spanish league title in the 2020-21 season. Simeone’s team pipped rivals Real Madrid to the trophy and ended the club’s seven-year wait to become Spanish champions.

Trippier returned to the Premier League in January. Newcastle paid £12m to sign him from Atleti, as per Sky Sports.

He became the Magpies’ first signing after the takeover by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund. His arrival demonstrated the quality of player Newcastle were aiming to bring in, which has been replicated by the captures of Sven Botman and Bruno Guimaraes, among others.

Trippier has gone on to become one of Eddie Howe’s most important players. He has captained Newcastle in all but one of their league matches this campaign, helping them to reach third place.

The 32-year-old’s impressive form has even seen him become England’s first-choice right-back for the World Cup. Admittedly, this is partly due to injuries affecting Reece James and Kyle Walker. But Trippier showed why he deserves to start with a top display in England’s 6-2 thrashing of Iran on Monday.

Club regrets decision to sell player to Newcastle

Spanish outlet AS provide their information on Trippier and his Atleti exit. They claim chiefs at the Wanda Metropolitano have been left ‘longing’ after the defender due to his ‘formidable’ displays.

Simeone, in particular, has a ‘serious problem’ after Trippier’s departure. It is one which he is ‘still trying to solve’.

Trippier has shown himself to be a real leader in the dressing room for Newcastle. This is something Atleti are missing, and it has contributed to their poor start to the season.

Simeone has generally gone with 24-year-old Nahuel Molina on the right side of defence this term. However, he doesn’t have the same quality that Trippier possesses, making Atleti more vulnerable.

Trippier’s move away from Atleti could even contribute to Simeone getting the sack. The Argentine is under pressure in Madrid as Atleti sit fifth in La Liga, 13 points behind leaders Barcelona.

The Rojiblancos, as Atleti are known, are also out of Europe. They came bottom in Champions League Group B.

Atleti boss could get the sack

And Simeone’s 11-year spell in charge of the club may soon come to an end. As per Spanish source Mundo Deportivo, Atleti officials are considering sacking him.

And they are eyeing up Spain boss Luis Enrique as his potential replacement, for when the World Cup ends.

Of course, Trippier’s exit will not be entirely responsible for Simeone’s potential sacking. But it could play a part given how big of a miss he has been for them.

Trippier will be hoping he has done enough to start for England in their next game. They face the USA on Friday evening.

Walker will apparently be back fit for that clash. But Trippier should probably start given his current purple patch.

Meanwhile, Newcastle supposedly ‘dream’ of landing a player Arsenal failed to sign earlier this year.