Diego Simeone: A Legacy of Discipline & Drama at Atlético

Eapen Alexander

Content Writer

Diego Simeone has managed Atlético de Madrid since December 2011, making him the longest-serving coach in La Liga. Under his tenure, the club has entered its most successful era. He has guided Atlético to eight major trophies: 2× La Liga (2014, 2021), 1× Copa del Rey (2013), 2× UEFA Europa League (2012, 2018), 2× UEFA Super Cup (2012, 2018) and 1× Spanish Super Cup (2014).

In 13+ years on the bench, he has also led Atleti to two Champions League finals (2014 and 2016), a feat never before achieved in club history. This haul of trophies is unmatched at Atlético, as the club itself notes, Simeone’s eight titles surpass the six won under long-time legend Luis Aragonés.

By March 2023, Simeone had already coached 613 official matches for Atlético, overtaking Aragonés’s previous record of 612 games, and that tally now exceeds 730 games. In short, he has redefined Atlético’s modern identity, instilling the fierce discipline and never-say-die mentality that became the club’s trademark under his leadership (coined “Cholismo”).

Building a New Club Culture

Simeone’s arrival in 2011 transformed Atlético’s mentality. On the pitch, his teams are famously organised, hard-working and defensively resilient, reflecting Simeone’s own combative playing style. He often emphasises team ethos over individual flair, once saying, “we’re not just focused on winning trophies; we’re leaving a legacy for whoever follows on from us”.

In interviews, he stresses that Atlético must aim higher: “We’re sending the message that finishing third is no longer good enough, we want more, even though we know how difficult it is”. This mindset shift, from accepting mid-table obscurity to competing toe-to-toe with giants like Real Madrid and Barcelona, is a major part of his legacy.

As Simeone himself told players, “I am proud of you and you are leaving a legacy for history. Before it was a possibility to be in the conversation, but now we compete with them”.

Under Simeone, Atlético became perennial Champions League contenders, breaking the old duopoly in Spanish football and often outperforming their more illustrious neighbours.

Crucially, Simeone has earned the trust and admiration of his players. He has spoken warmly of veterans like Antoine Griezmann, calling him “a complete legend of the club” after Griezmann’s return and has a reputation for raising the level of entire teams. For example, defender José María Giménez and midfielder Marcos Llorente developed into world-class stars under his guidance.

His practice of demanding maximum effort “discipline” from every player, whether a seasoned star or a young newcomer, created an Atlético squad known for unity and fight. As one source noted, “We compete, and now we are focusing… We will look for ways for the team to keep growing,” reflecting Simeone’s constant push for improvement even in tough times.

Records and Achievements

Simeone is Atlético’s most decorated coach ever. Besides the trophies already listed, he secured Atlético’s first European Cup Final appearances (2008 was the only previous one). He has achieved a 59% win rate at the club, with a staggering 82% of matches unbeaten (59% wins, 18% losses), versus only 50% wins in Luis Aragonés’s era. Atlético themselves note that Simeone “has won 59% of his matches” and “only conceded 18% defeats”.

His trophy count (8) also outstrips Aragonés (6 titles), placing Simeone atop Atleti’s history. ESPN similarly remarks he is “their most successful coach ever, with eight trophies in that time”.

His longevity is unparalleled among today’s elite coaches: he’s been in charge for over 13 years, far longer than contemporaries like Pep Guardiola (Manchester City, 8½ years) or Brian Schmetzer (Seattle Sounders, 8½ years).

Even Atlético’s president recognises this achievement. Enrique Cerezo bluntly declared Simeone “untouchable”, saying “he is happy… living here with his family. We love him, we take good care of him. He will leave when he wants”.

In a sport where coaches are often sacked after short spells, Simeone’s bond with the club is exceptional. His own words echo unwavering commitment: when asked why he’s still at Atlético, he replied “I continue to believe that there’s more to come from us… The club’s been through a challenging transition, and better times lie ahead… We’re on the right track” . Indeed, President Cerezo has said Simeone “is doing a truly amazing job” and that the coach can stay “for as long as he wants”.

Recent Challenges and the Road Ahead

The latter years of Simeone’s tenure have been rollercoasters. Atlético’s board and fans have backed him through highs and lows. For instance, CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, who controls about one-third of the club’s shares, wrote in an August 2025 letter that they “firmly believe we have a squad to dream big” and that the club will continue investing heavily.

Atlético spent over €150 million in the summer 2025 window (on players like Álex Baena, Thiago Almada and Johnny Cardoso) to strengthen the team. Gil Marín vowed they’d bring in more capital to support Simeone’s project. The club’s aim is ambitious: Atlético want to challenge for top honours again, not just secure Champions League qualification.

However, results on the pitch have sometimes lagged behind expectations. In early 2025/26, La Liga, Atlético had a poor start, drawing 1-1 with Espanyol and Alavés and losing 2-1 at Elche, leaving them with just 2 points from 3 games.

Commentators noted that Atlético had taken leads in each match but succumbed to “extremely poor defending” late on, raising questions about the team’s fragility. Local pundits even wondered aloud whether Simeone’s rugged approach suited a squad heavy on attacking talent and lighter on traditional defenders.

After each setback, Simeone projected calm, urging patience and insisting the team was close to turning things around. His faith in the process and his players has been rewarded at times. For example, a 3-0 home win over Villarreal saw fans chanting “¡Olé, olé, olé, El Cholo Simeone!” with joy, indicating that support for him remains strong despite the hiccups (similar chants famously greeted his debut in 2012).

Atlético’s 2025 Club World Cup campaign also reflected this duality of promise and peril. Simeone’s team defeated Seattle Sounders 3-1 to stay alive in Group B, leaving them tied on points with PSG and Botafogo.

Even after a 1-0 win over Botafogo, Atlético were eliminated on goal difference; Simeone ruefully noted “we’re not in the same league as PSG and Botafogo, but we got the same number of points… we’re close, but we’re always just a little bit short”. This fine margin, winning two of three games yet exiting, underscored how Atlético, under Simeone, consistently competes but sometimes falls just short on the biggest stages.

Despite setbacks, Simeone has continued to foster growth. He has spoken of sustaining “huge growth ahead” at Atlético and has repeatedly told players they are “leaving a legacy” for future generations. He insists the team must evolve to match the club’s progress. Even after defeats, Simeone emphasises improvement: “the team has deserved more from our games… we will look for ways for the team to keep growing”.

Simeone’s Enduring Influence

After 13 years and counting, Simeone’s imprint on Atlético is indelible. He has restored the club to elite status in Europe, transforming a side once mired in mid-table into perennial contenders. Fans and club leaders alike treat him as an institution. As Cerezo put it, Simeone has enjoyed “no problems” with the club and is cherished by all. The Atlético we see today, a proud, combative team that can battle Real Madrid and Barcelona, is his creation.

Whether trophies continue to arrive or not, Simeone’s era will be remembered for its discipline, passion and drama. He has achieved a legendary status at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium.

He himself frames it as more than a coaching tenure: “I’m proud of you and you are leaving a legacy for history… Before it was a possibility, but now we compete with them”. In the end, Diego Simeone’s legacy at Atlético is secure, he is “unquestionably a legend” of the club whose name is forever linked with its most glorious age.

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