Danny Simpson on moving to Dubai, his role at Arabian Falcons, and the influence of Alex Ferguson

Danny Simpson, a former Manchester United academy graduate, has made his coaching debut in the United Arab Emirates with Arabian Falcons. The 39-year-old Englishman, who played for Manchester United, Sunderland, Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers, and Leicester City, has spent four weeks adjusting to life in Dubai. Simpson's coaching philosophy is influenced by managers like Alex Ferguson, Claudio Ranieri, and Craig Shakespeare.

He joined Arabian Falcons as player-coach alongside former Newcastle teammate Jonjo Shelvey, who is managing the side in the UAE Second Division. Simpson's role is to blend in with the players and help them improve their game. He credits his experience with the club's previous manager, Jonjo Shelvey, for helping him understand the importance of standards, both on and off the pitch.

Simpson cites Sir Alex Ferguson as his ultimate reference point for management, praising his ability to connect with players on a personal level. He also admires Craig Shakespeare's approach, which focused on enhancing his skills and keeping energy levels high during challenging times. Simpson's favorite memory from his playing days is Leicester City's Premier League victory in 2016, which he considers the day his dreams came true.

Despite being in a new environment, Simpson remains passionate about his work and committed to helping Arabian Falcons achieve their goal of promotion.