Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports , former Spain midfielder Gaizka Mendieta has made his prediction what could be next for fellow Spaniards Diego Simeone, Cesc Fabregas and Andoni Iraola.
The midfielder who played in both La Liga and the Premier League gives his thoughts on the perspective of England Stars Harry Kane, Declan Rice as well as if Liverpool Legend Mohamed Salah could be a target for Barcelona or Real Madrid.
The Valencia icon has also tipped a shock move to Wrexham for Sergio Ramos, discusses some of the recent major managerial moves and names the key duo which could lead Brazil to a 2026 World Cup success.
Spanish Managers
Diego Simeone
Will Diego Simeone ever leave Atletico Madrid? It's been 15 years, and it has been amazing, eight trophies and two Champions League finals, but I can picture him at Chelsea.
He has a kind of magic that could build something at Chelsea; he would have a quick impact on the team and would look at young profiles. He is someone who could have a quick impact and radically change the team.
They have just appointed a new manager, but who knows what the future holds.
Cesc Fabregas
It’s a matter of time before Cesc Fabregas gets a huge job. I'm sure there has already been knocks on his door, but I know he's very happy at Como.
It's a fantastic and exciting project for him because he's allowed to do basically whatever he wants. He's bringing the people that he wants. Things are working well. So I don't see anything changing soon, but we all know he will want to progress and experience different leagues, different clubs, and he's played in a lot of big clubs as well.
Any connection with former teams, I'm sure that we will cross paths at some point. Again, not soon because he seems to be very happy there and again, getting whatever he wants and being given the tools to create something.
Where is Cesc More Likely To Manage Next?
Andoni Iraola
I'm not sure. I don't think Andoni Iraola has the profile. I'm not saying he's not up to the job because of the size of it, I think he is, but I'm not sure the profile that those clubs will be looking at him at the moment.
Certainly, Bilbao will look at him at some point; he will definitely be manager there at some point in his career, but maybe he will move to a big club in the Premier League. He is proving his value at Bournemouth and has shown he can bring success in England, so maybe that will be his path.
Transfer Talk
Salah To La Liga?
Mohamed Salah to La Liga? It might depend on the contract.
He isn’t a young player, but we have seen experienced players like Robert Lewandowski be a success here in recent years. He has proven that players over 30 can come to Spain and offer so much with their experience.
Barcelona might not be able to make the finances work, but Real Madrid have a spot on the right-hand side that could be the perfect fit for Salah. Barca have Lamine Yamal, but Salah can be flexible. I think Salah would strengthen both clubs if he were to come to Spain; it just depends on the contract.
Kane To Barcelona?
Harry Kane coming to La Liga would be fantastic. Our careers are only short, and we cannot play forever, but I don't think he'll be leaving Bayern soon.
However, if Robert Lewandowski were to leave Barcelona, a new number nine would be very exciting. Again, we're playing a bit of Football Manager here, and we know the finances for Barca are difficult. But football-wise, I think it would be exciting to see him in La Liga.
If Barca needed a replacement and Lewandowski were to leave the club, Harry Kane would be a great fit.
Rice’s Reputation
Declan Rice has a lot of respect in Spain, especially after what he did against Real Madrid last season in scoring two unbelievable goals. For fans who don’t watch the Premier League, that was the highlight, but people who watch him every week will see how good he is often.
He is in a good place at Arsenal, and he will be hoping he can add major honours to his trophy cabinet this season. Could we see Declan Rice at Real Madrid? If he ever became available, he is exactly the profile of player they would want.
At the moment, he is competing in the Premier League and the Champions League with Arsenal, so he is going nowhere, but if that were to change, I think Real Madrid would be looking at him in the market, definitely.
Would Rice Be Successful In Spain?
Could Wrexham Sign A Spanish Star?
Wrexham are a huge story; they have been followed here in Spain. It’s a romantic story and a global phenomenon. Having a Spanish player there would be special. We see teams signing players from different countries, like Japan, and others, to create a market there.
I’m sure Wrexham have considered that. It would be fantastic to see a Spanish player there, and why not Sergio Ramos? It’s been rumoured that he wants to buy Sevilla, but he is a free agent and still wants to play, so why not? It's an option.
Manager Talk
Nuno Espirito Santo
Nuno Espirito Santo is the right man for West Ham. When you look back to his time at Valencia, he worked hard and did so well with the players he had.
He has shown the work he can do when he has time, and the club have also been active in the transfer market, which is positive.
There is pressure, but the team can improve given time. The pressure is often higher at the bottom of the table, but Nuno will know what he needs to do and who knows, they could stay up and push for Europe again next season.
O’Neill’s Celtic Return
The club has such a history, and you need managers that know as much as possible about it. Martin O’Neill knows all about Celtic, and he can have an immediate impact on the team again.
The defeat against Rangers led to a big decision and the club are now looking at the short-term over the long-term, which is important, especially when you have such a rival like Rangers competing for the title.
They are both historical clubs, and they need to improve. Celtic have gone back to Martin O’Neill, and it gives them the best chance of the title, but they also need to think about the long-term.
Middlesbrough Miss Edwards!
Middlesbrough would be closer to Coventry if Rob Edwards stayed just for the pure sense of continuity. I'm a believer of that. Managers need time, and a change in manager often shakes up the dressing room for the worse.
But Middlesbrough have done well and are still in a great position. Let’s see if they can find the form they had at the start of the season, but considering the change in management, they are still in a great spot, although it could’ve been better without the change.
It was a risk for Rob Edwards to leave, but the club need to look forward.
World Cup 2026
Alcantara’s Missed Brazalian Opportunity
Thiago Alcantara would have played for Brazil because he was a very talented and successful player. I played with his father. I have known him since he was a little boy because he used to come to the training ground. I think they're very attached to Spain. He decided that, and he was given the opportunity to play for Spain at a young age.
For him to play for Brazil, a lot of players would have challenged his position in the squad. Looking at how Brazil have done in recent years, managers had looked for a different type of football, a bit more physical and aggressive, which hasn't really worked out. Thiago could have played in that style as well. He would have played a lot for Brazil.
Brazilian Pairing Guimaraes And Casemiro
Carlo Ancelotti will know that Bruno Guimaraes is a fantastic player, and he will trust him to play in a partnership with Casemiro .
That partnership will bring a lot of experience to the team, and Ancelotti needs an immediate impact at the World Cup.
The squad has a lot of leadership, a lot of quality, and they need to show that. Bruno and Casemiro could provide a platform for Brazil to have success. Ancelotti should definitely consider it.
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