PSG’s Ben Arfa Slams Mourinho, Simeone, And Ronaldo

PSG winger Hatem Ben Arfa has slammed managers Jose Mourinho and Diego Simeone for their frustrating coaching philosophies, while also criticising Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Frenchman launched an attack on Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho and Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone because of the way they set up their teams, often to suffocate the opposition’s attacking players.

Both Mourinho and Simeone have always faced questions for their defensive-minded strategy, and Ben Arfa has claimed those tactics are literally ‘killing football’.

“Many coaches are convinced to invent football on the pretext that they are looking for a system to block the opponent,” Ben Arfa told France Football.

“But this is not in the essence of football, with Mourinho and Simeone. It is the antithesis of [former Ajax and Barcelona coach Johan] Cruyff and his freedom, and with them there is no longer room for pleasure.

“There is no more spectacle, to the point that football interests me much less. I do not find pleasure watching matches. Even in Ligue 1, we kill football.”

Mourinho is regarded as one of the most successful managers around Europe, having won trophies during spells at Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and United. But he is often criticised for his uncompromising tactical decisions, and has even faced the anger from some sections of United support for his negative style of football this term.

Simeone, on the other hand, guided Atletico to La Liga title success in 2014 following a disciplined defensive system, though he has struggled to replicate that success since then.

Ben Arfa also took a cheeky dig at Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, as he termed the Portugal international as ‘predictable.’

“Cristiano Ronaldo, he does not give me any emotion,” the former Newcastle winger said. “He is predictable.”

 

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