Andrea Berta fact file: The Atletico Madrid miracle worker tipped to become Man United's first director of football

Aditya Devavrat 07:30 13/09/2018
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  • Berta (R) has made some stellar signings for Atletico.

    Andrea Berta is reportedly being lined up to become the new director of football at Manchester United.

    Chief Executive Ed Woodward is planning a major restructuring behind the scenes at Old Trafford, with the Italian transfer guru considered high on the club’s priority list.

    But just who is the man United are targeting?

    Here’s a quick fact file on the Atletico Madrid sporting director.

    Oversaw Atletico’s rise

    The Italian joined Atletico Madrid from Serie A side Genoa in 2013, having previously worked at Parma as well.

    When Berta joined the club, Radamel Falcao signed for Monaco for a mammoth €60million fee, with Diego Costa coming to the fore for Los Rojiblancos that season. David Villa, Jose Gimenez, and Toby Alderweireld were among the major signings in that summer transfer window.

    At the end of the season, Atletico were La Liga champions for the first time in 18 years.

    Since then, they’ve reached two Champions League finals and won the Europa League. In that time, Berta has risen from scout to technical director to overall sporting director, in charge not just of player recruitment but all first-team operations.

    It’s safe to say he’s presided over the most successful period in club history.

    Atletico Madrid won La Liga in 2013-14.

    Atletico Madrid won La Liga in 2013-14.

    Transfer successes

    Under Berta, Atletico have made a habit of unearthing gems and turning handsome profits. Alderweireld, Diego Costa, Arda Turan and Jackson Martinez are among the players sold in big-money moves during Berta’s time at the Wanda Metropolitano.

    But what’s most impressive is his record as a recruiter. He was responsible for the signings of Antoine Griezmann and Jan Oblak in 2014 when they were signed for €30million and €16million respectively. The Italian also oversaw the return of Costa, as well as a stunning summer 2018 window in which Griezmann and Diego Godin were tied down to new contracts and Rodri, Thomas Lemar, Nikola Kalinic and Gelson Martins were among the new players recruited.

    Griezmann and Oblak.

    Griezmann and Oblak.

    What would United get?

    Berta is one name in a small shortlist of candidates being reported on as a potential director of football at United. The club are looking to restructure their entire top-level football set-up, in order to streamline recruitment and transfers.

    The Atletico director may be the perfect man for the job at Old Trafford. He has a reputation in Europe for being among the continent’s better talent-spotters, as well as for his ability to get a deal over the line.

    Plus, having worked exclusively with Diego Simeone as manager, Berta will understand the idea of establishing a footballing philosophy and recruiting players who fit that. Whether that would put him at odds with Jose Mourinho wold have to be seen. Mourinho has a rigid footballing system that doesn’t quite match with the club’s overall philosophy, which may cause clashes sometimes. But then, that’s part and parcel of the job – especially when working with the Portuguese.

    Mourinho is not an easy man to work with.

    Mourinho is not an easy man to work with.

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