[88] w/ Danny Simpson

In this week's episode, The Michael Anthony Show is joined by former Manchester United defender Danny Simpson. Having failed to make the grade at his boyhood club, Simpson's fascinating career saw him ply his trade at numerous clubs around England. Although successful stints at clubs like Newcastle and QPR portrayed the Eccles' native's obvious quality and ever present desire to win games as learned in the famed United academy, the void left by departing a team that saw him rub shoulders with the likes of Rooney, Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez seemed like one that would never be filled. 

Approaching what many deemed to be the tail end of his career, Simpson made his way to the King Power Stadium and with the club narrowly avoiding relegation under Nigel Pearson in his first season with the foxes, new manager Claudio Ranieri entered the fold in 2015. The Italian didn't hesitate to let Simpson know that he was far from in his plans and having spent the first eight weeks of the now iconic 2015/2016 season playing with the kids, the seemingly washed up right back seemed to be falling by the wayside of an underwhelming career. 

The 'Tinkerman' Ranieri had a vision however, and after a meeting with Simpson in which the wiley Italian admitted his shortcomings in analysing the Mancunian, the world of Danny Simpson, just like the beautiful game as a whole, would never be the same again. Leicester, in what will perhaps always be the most ridiculous sporting story of all time, became champions of England. As opposed to lifting the famous trophy in front of an adoring Stretford End, Simpson's moment came alongside teammates considered finished, not good enough. In an era of one hundred million pound players, the foxes ran England with a twenty eight million pound team. In a feat so unlikely that it undoubtedly left the realm of sport, this group of footballers changed the world. 

In a revealing episode, Danny Simpson revisits this period and also opens up on other aspects of his unique career. Working under Sir Alex Fergsuon, his views on his good friend Ravel Morrison, the benefits of knowing Ronaldo, player power, social media and his spat with Jamie Carragher are all discussed during this open conversation, as the uncapped right back shares his views on the current Manchester United set up and remembers the tragic helicopter crash of 2018 involving Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other podcast platforms. 

MA Show.

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