HP Terbaru 2023 – Diego Simeone’s record tenure at Atletico may be reaching a turning point

---

By Graham Ruthven

---

Atlético Madrid’s recent form makes for confusing reading. In their last four outings, Diego Simeone’s team have produced two of their best two performances of the whole season, first thumping Real Betis 5-0 before putting four past Barcelona in a comprehensive Copa del Rey dismantling of the Spanish champions.

In between these two victories, however, have been two of Atleti’s worst performances of the season so far. Indeed, the 1-0 home defeat to Real Betis and Sunday’s 3-0 loss to Rayo Vallecano were a nadir for the capital club, not just in terms of this season, but potentially of the entire Simeone era.

Simeone is under pressure to prove he is still the right man for the Atlético Madrid job. December marked 14 years since the former midfielder took over at the club and few managers have been as influential as him in that timeframe. Simeone built Atleti into the institution it is today.

Increasingly, though, the evidence is accumulating that maybe Simeone has taken Los Colchoneros as far as he can. Atleti find themselves stuck in no man’s land, somewhere between Barcelona and Real Madrid at the top of Spanish football and the rest of the chasing pack. Simeone is seemingly out of ideas to bridge the gap.

Not so long ago, ‘Cholismo’ was the philosophical light that guided Atlético Madrid. Simeone’s conservative approach might not have been tolerated at some other clubs, but having spent so many years on the outside looking in, Atleti’s supporters idolised their manager for the way he lifted up the underdogs.

In recent times, however, ‘Cholismo’ hasn’t been so effective. Atlético Madrid have become a soft touch. Their mentality has been called into question and Simeone isn’t the dressing room galvaniser he once was. In fact, some reports have even speculated that Simeone has fallen out with a number of key players this season.

Simeone might not be entirely to blame for all this. It’s possible the modern game has left him behind much like it did Arsene Wenger towards the end of his tenure at Arsenal. Like Simeone, he moulded an elite-level club in his own image only for his methods to lose their potency. Wenger fell behind the curve.

At least Simeone has attempted to evolve. More than once he has vowed a stylistic shift. He has promised a more expansive, attack-minded style of play, even tailoring Atleti’s transfer strategy in accordance. Every time, though, Simeone goes back to what he knows best. His default setting even if it no longer works so well.

Ademola Lookman’s January arrival gave Simeone another attacking tool to use, but while the Nigerian has shown glimpses of his brilliance for his new team, including on his Atlético Madrid debut, the balance of the side remains off. The midfield lacks creativity and the defence is wide open.

Until recently, Simeone had complete control at the Metropolitano Stadium. However, Apollo Sports Capital’s purchase of Atlético Madrid in November has changed the landscape. The new owners are ambitious and reportedly want Atleti to play a more exciting brand of football.

Simeone has voiced his own thoughts on what might come next for him after Atleti. He has publicly revealed his desire to one day coach Inter Milan where he was successful as a player. “It doesn’t depend on me, but in my coaching career, I imagine a time on the Inter bench,” said Simeone when asked if the San Siro could be a future destination.

Several Premier League clubs have been linked with Simeone in the past. There was once a time when countless teams would have moved heaven and earth to secure the Argentine previously seen as a force of nature. Now, though, there are doubts over his compatibility for the modern game.

This season could still be a successful one for Atlético Madrid. They have one foot in the Copa del Rey final after their semi-final first leg demolition of Barcelona and are favourites to make the Champions League last 16 over Club Brugge. A third place finish in LaLiga wouldn’t be disastrous either – Atleti haven’t finished higher than this since winning the title in 2021.

And yet Atlético Madrid are entitled to wonder if they are capable of more. Apollo expects a return on their investment of $2.5 billion and they will only achieve that if Atleti can compete and beat the very best in Spanish and European football. The truth, though, is that Simeone’s team maybe a long way from this level and he might not be the manager best suited to take them there.

---

(Images from IMAGO)

---

You can follow every game Atlético Madrid game on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.