Simeone renews until 2027 and targets Miguel Muñoz: "He is capable of everything at Atlético de Madrid"

It was an open secret since his sister stopped by the Metropolitan offices at the end of October.. Natalia Simeone met with Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, CEO of Atlético de Madrid, to finalize the details of the new contract of one of the most charismatic coaches in Spanish football. “It's on the right track,” said the red and white CEO in an interview days later.

The path has reached the goal. Diego Simeone will be at Atlético de Madrid, if no one or the results prevent it, until 2027, as announced by the red and white club this Thursday. A coach whose only goal is to “give my all”, as he recently said and completed: “From the day I arrived until the day I leave”. “It is a step forward for Atlético de Madrid and also for Simeone,” said Enrique Cerezo, president of the entity.

This is the eighth contract that Diego Simeone signs at Atlético de Madrid. It is the first time that he has done so for three years and, in addition, reducing his emoluments which, until this last signing, amounted to 16.5 million net, which made him the highest paid coach in the world. As EL MUNDO has learned, the coach's new salary would be around 12 million net per season.

If he fulfills what was agreed, or even more so, if he extends “another three years later”, as Gil Marín wished, Simeone would not only surpass Miguel Muñoz, who spent almost 14 years on the Real Madrid bench, but would also celebrate 18 years as boss. from the Atlético de Madrid locker room. In these times of emergencies and results, an outrage.

Even more so if we look at the figures he has achieved since he arrived at the club on December 27, 2011, replacing Gregorio Manzano.. In these almost 12 years it has achieved eight titles: two Leagues (2013/14, 2020/21), one Copa del Rey (2012/13), two Europa Leagues (2011/12, 2017/18), two European Super Cups ( 2012, 2018) and a Spanish Super Cup (2014).

In addition to the titles, Simeone has directed 642 matches, obtaining 380 wins, 148 draws and only 115 defeats.. Last season he surpassed Luis Aragonés as the coach with the most games coached by Atlético de Madrid, 612. “He is capable of anything,” explained Enrique Cerezo.

One of the keys that has kept him on the bench of such a tempestuous club is the regularity and stability that he has provided.. Since his first full season, the Argentine coach has always qualified Atlético de Madrid for the Champions League. This represents very valuable income for a club that has established itself among the greats in Europe and that in 2019 reached second place in the UEFA ranking.

2023 historic

Perhaps the most tortuous time for the one from Buenos Aires was the one that happened before the World Cup in Qatar, last year.. Eliminated from Europe in the first phase and 13 points behind the leader before the World Cup, many voices doubted Simeone's continuity due to the team's poor performance.

In those moments of weakness in 2022, there was a player who not only challenged the coach with his attitude and his rudeness, he also conditioned the red and white parish and generated a debate around the team's play.

The Portuguese Joao Félix, still under contract with Atlético de Madrid, never got along with Simeone or the team's style of play. Despite having cost 120 million, the club's management considered it smarter to give the player to Chelsea. The separation of both paths could not have been more disparate.. While the Portuguese was sinking in the Premier, Atlético was taking off.

But the colchoneros rebuilt themselves upon their return and, although they were no longer in European competition, they managed to become the second best team in 2023 only behind Manchester City. And, although it may sound like a pipe dream for those who consider Cholo a defensive coach, he is one of the highest scorers.. Until last day, he was still leading that statistic until Girona overtook him after their defeat in Las Palmas. The Catalans have 29 goals compared to the 26 of the red and whites.

After the 6-0 defeat to Celtic on the last day of the Champions League, placing Atlético as the leader of group E, as well as the team's progress in LaLiga, despite the blot of Las Palmas, Simeone is in one of the moments sweetest in his 12 years at the club.

All you have to do is stop by any Sunday and listen to the Atlético de Madrid lineup. There is the European top scorer, the captain of France and two World champions, but the name for which the Colchonera fans vibrate the most is: Diego Pablo Simeone.