According to reports emerging from Spanish outlet OK Diario, Simeone has decided he wants a new challenge after five years in charge at Atletico. The Argentine manager has reportedly agreed a big-money move worth £9.2m to take over from interim manager Guus Hiddink in the summer.
With Hiddink set to leave, Chelsea have been searching for a new coach to take them forward long-term in the meantime. It's believed they were interested in Pep Guardiola before Manchester City announced their move to bring him to the Etihad, while Italian bosses Massimiliano Allegri and Antonio Conte have also been linked with the manager post at Chelsea.
Simeone took over Atletico in December 2011 from current Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores.The former Argentina international has been a huge hit at the Vicente Calderon and has guided the club to five major trophies during his reign.
Simeone has earned a reputation as one of the most demanding, clever young coaches on the continent and despite past reports suggesting Blues' owner Roman Abramovich wasn't a fan of his style of play, he's now jumped to the head of the queue to take charge.
Chelsea face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday, while Atletico take on PSV next week.
Majority of the fans were thrilled with the reports while some of them expressed reservations about the combative style of play which is typical to Simeone’s teams.
If the move does happen, Simeone will join a long list of super-managers like Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola, Arsene Wenger and even possibly Jose Mourinho.
Carlo Ancelotti says Chelsea will play defensive football against PSG
Ancelotti who has coached both the teams in the past believes that Chelsea will approach their key Champions League match against PSG in a defensive mindset.
Chelsea will play more defensively and try to use the counter-attack,” he told Goal. “PSG will be the opposite. They play at home and will want to have a good result to be more relaxed when they play at Stamford Bridge.
“Maybe PSG have a greater chance, but playing against Hiddink’s team is very difficult.”
The veteran Italian coach also revealed how he would motivate his sides for such big matches.
“The only thing you can do is prepare well,” he said. “So you use the hours before the game to prepare the players, show them some videos and build a good strategy for the game. It helps the players avoid pressure, which is normal for this type of game.”
This will be the third straight season these sides have clashed in the knockout stages of the Champions League, with each claiming one victory.
