Diego Simeone is one of the most popular managers in the world. Not because of the way he raised Atletico Madrid’s profile in the seven years he has been there, but also the way he endeared himself to the fans and formed a squad that constantly challenged the hegemony that Real Madrid and Barcelona had in Spain. To add to this, he was able to bring the Rojiblancos to two Champions League finals – losing both times to bitter derby rivals, Real Madrid.
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However, with Simeone having served the red side of Madrid with passion and dedication, is it time for him to seek new pastures, possibly abroad? Simeone recently shortened his contract from 2020 to 2018 – a big sign that he is planning on leaving the Vicente Calderon in a year’s time.
We delve into his achievements and why he needs a change of scene to regain his tact:
Took a struggling Atletico to compete with the big guns
Before ‘El Cholo’ (as he is fondly called) joined Atletico, they had finished seventh the season before and had been eliminated in the Copa Del Rey and Europa League. When Simeone took over from Manzano, results immediately took an upward turn and Madrid ended the season winning the Europa League and finished at a respectable fifth place. Simeone also won the Super Cup in his next full season, beating Chelsea 4-1.
He followed this up with a third place finish in La Liga and beating Real Madrid 2-1 in a heated Copa Del Rey final. He was also responsible for ending a 14-year, 25-game wait for Atletico to finally emerge victorious in a Madrid derby.
However, Diego Simeone’s biggest achievement came at the end of the 2013-14 season when Atletico won the La Liga for the first time in 18 years. He also took Atletico their first Champions League final since 1974, beating the likes of Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea on their path to Lisbon. Despite losing to Real Madrid in extra time - a game that looked Atletico’s to win until a 93rd minute Sergio Ramos equaliser. Atletico had announced themselves on the biggest stages of club football.
This elevated Diego Simeone to the level of top managers in the world, a distinction he can still proudly uphold. He repeated the feat two years later, taking Atletico the final at the San Siro, beating Bayern and Barcelona on the way but losing to Real Madrid on penalties.
Bringing the best out of players
Simeone is credited with having been responsible for Radamel Falcao’s rise to the top as one of the elite strikers in the game. He even made Atletico one of the foremost defensive fortresses in football, with a back that consisted the likes of Thibaut Courtois and Jan Oblak in goal, Diego Godin, Juanfran, Filipe Luis, Miranda etc. A lot of young players were given the opportunity to flourish under Simeone and they have gone on to become some of the finest players in the world today.
Simeone is also responsible for making Diego Costa one of the best strikers in the world before selling him to Chelsea.
Some players in the current team with world-class ability include Saul and Yannick Carrasco, two youngsters who made their debuts under the Argentine. He also developed Koke into one of the finest midfielders in Spain. He was also credited with helping Fernando Torres resurrect his career in his boyhood club.
One player who has constantly praised Simeone for his development as a player is Antoine Griezmann. The Frenchman joined Atletico from Real Sociedad and under Simeone, he went on to become one of the top scorers in European football as well as finishing third in the 2016 Ballon D’Or standings.
What next?
With five trophies at the Vicente Calderon and two Champions League final spots, Atletico Madrid owe a debt of gratitude to El Cholo. Atletico are struggling in the La Liga this season, currently sixth in place and twelve points off the top. Simeone’s contract reduction is probably the first sign that he is eager for a newer challenge. With Atletico moving to a new stadium next season and unavailable to sign new players till Jan 2018, Simeone wants to guide them through the tough period before he leaves.
There has been talk that Simone will return to Inter Milan as a manager – A team where he played as a defender back in the 90s. Another indication is that he will join England as his next challenge and time will tell.
Legacy
Simeone has no doubt left behind a legacy at Atletico that will be hard for other managers to replicate. He has won five trophies, lifted Atletico into a world-class team and helped the club make some superb business deals in the transfer market. He is also a fan favourite, with his black suit look, his passionate touchline antics and his ability to get the crowd behind the team. Atletico will never be the same once he leaves and he too will be looking to leave the club with a bang.
As far as signs go, Simeone is almost certain to leave Atletico in a year’s time, and football will see one of the greatest underdog stories come to an end.
