“I Didn’t See This” – Mikel Arteta’s Former Teammate Admits Surprise At Managerial Ability

By The Editor
on 12th October 2023

Joleon Lescott admits he’s surprised by Mikel Arteta’s quality in the dugout…

Joleon Lescott, Mikel Arteta’s former teammate at Everton, admitted that he didn’t see the Spaniard becoming a top manager so early in his coaching career, the former defender told the Filthy Fellas podcast.

The two spent three years together at Goodison Park before Lescott infamously forced a move away to newly-financed Manchester City in 2009.

The former England international stated that while it was always clear that the Spaniard had an inquisitive mind when it came to the tactical side of the game, he could never have predicted how his managerial career would begin.

Arteta has definitely taken an unconventional route to the top table in management, especially in England as he was given the reigns by such an elite club as his first role in management.

The level of belief shown in him by the club’s hierarchy is also unprecedented, with the 41-year-old further supported during the most challenging times of this embryonic career.

“Nah, I knew he had the intelligence,” the former Wolves man said when asked if could’ve predicted Arteta’s managerial career.

“I knew he had the tactical awareness, that didn’t surprise me, but I didn’t see this to be fair. I didn’t see the level of success this early in his management career.

“Mikel knows the game, he was a left winger who turned into a holding midfielder and was playing it properly,” Lescott added.

While Arteta has elevated to the top of his profession in his first sting as manager, people within the tame had always heralded him as the next special coach.

This was illustrated in the months after he announced the end of his playing career, as he was offered assistant manager roles by Manchester City and Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs.

Arteta has always been a strong-minded person and his plan was set – he chose to learn from the best manager of his generation before implementing those practices at London Colney.