AT A CROSSROAD

‘DIEGO SIMEONE’S ATLETICO MADRID SHOWED ALL THE QUALITIES HE DID AS A PLAYER’’

The date of December 23, 2011 is a day forever etched in the memories of Atlético Madrid supporters – the day Diego Pablo Simeone took charge of Los Colchoneros. Before his tenure started, the club had been languishing in mid-table and going nowhere fast.

Yet, his vision, tactical guile, motivation and mental fortitude, allied to his unwavering passion and love for his beloved Atlético, made a complete revolution possible at the Madrid club. Simeone himself was a fierce competitor and an important player for Atleti for five years over two spells. It was a job he simply had to accept as a manager too and since the Argentine took the reins, he and his talented, dedicated group of players have presided over a record trophy haul, winning two European Supercups and two Europa Leagues.

There was also the famous La Liga title coronation in 2014 as Atlético lifted the trophy on the very last day of the season by securing a hard-fought draw at Barcelona’s Camp Nou. With everything against Atlético, Diego