In the second week of January 2023, news emerged that Diego Simeone would be leaving Atletico Madrid at the end of this season. The Atletico coach actually still has a contract until June 2024, but it seems that this contract will not be fulfilled. Simeone, now 52 years old, has coached Atletico since December 23, 2011, moving from the Argentine club, Racing Club. At that time, Simeone replaced the Spanish coach, Gregorio Manzano.
Unexpectedly, Simeone could last for almost 12 years. Currently, he is the coach with the longest coaching period in La Liga. It was the Spanish journalist, Paco Garcia Caridad, who first revealed Simeone’s plan. “Simeone will not be at Atletico next season. He told the club’s CEO, Miguel Angel Gil Marin, that he will leave at the end of the season,” Caridad told Spanish television El Chiringuito.
So far, Simeone has brought Atletico to win various trophies. Twice La Liga champion 2013-14 and 2020-2021. Champion of the 2012–13 Copa del Rey. Spanish Super Cup 2014. Europa League 2011-12 and 2017-18. European Super Cup 2012 and 2018. Twice Champions League runner-up 2013-14 and 2015-16.
Unfortunately, this season Atletico failed to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League. They are at the bottom of Group B, under Porto, Club Brugge and Bayer Leverkusen. Atletico were only able to win once, over Porto. While other results are two draws and three defeats. Thus, there will be no more adventures in Europe for Atletico this season.
On the domestic stage, Atletico were knocked out of the Copa del Rey, in the quarter-finals (26 January 2023) by city rivals, Real Madrid. Thus, Atletico’s only chance to get to Europe next season is through La Liga. Currently, after playing 18 times, Atletico are in 4th place, the final ranking to be able to qualify directly for the 2023-24 Champions League group phase.
According to Sport Bible, although many do not deny that Simeone is a legend at Atletico, many are also relieved by the news that Simeone will leave. Simeone’s defensive style of football is difficult to judge as beautiful. Many attacking players find it difficult to adapt to that style. Thus, young players like Joao Felix chose to leave, being loaned to Chelsea until the end of the season. Judging by his debut performance at Chelsea, he was doing pretty well and adapted pretty fast. Simeone himself is also difficult to accommodate the attacking players he has.
After Simeone’s plans to leave at the end of the 2022-23 season were made public, many coaches were proposed to replace him. Marcelo Gallardo, Gennaro Gattuso, Ernesto Valverde, Mauricio Pochettino, even Jose Mourinho.
However, there is one name that is considered as the main candidate to replace Simeone, namely the former coach of the Spanish national team, Luis Enrique. In fact, the transfer guru, Fabrizio Romano, stated that if Simeone were to leave one day, it would be Enrique who would replace him.
Simeone and Enrique are also very much the same age. Simeone was born April 28, 1970, while Enrique May 8, 1970. Coincidentally, Enrique is currently unemployed, having resigned as Spain coach on December 8, 2022. That was after Spain only managed to last until the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup, being eliminated by Morocco.
Despite appearing disappointing at the 2022 World Cup, Enrique’s work as a club coach was brilliant. As Barcelona boss, Enrique led the club to win the 2015 Champions League, as well as winning La Liga and the Copa del Rey.
In fact, Enrique’s achievements at Barcelona can be said to be perfect. Because, apart from winning La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League, Enrique also brought Barcelona to win the 2016 Spanish Super Cup, 2015 European Super Cup and 2015 Club World Champion. Plus, Barcelona also won La Liga in 2016, as well as the 2016 and 2017 Copa del Rey. In other words, Barcelona won La Liga twice in a row and the Copa del Rey three times in a row under coach Luis Enrique.
Well, Enrique has almost the same achievements as when Barcelona was handled by Pep Guardiola, don’t you think? Enrique was also considered to handle Manchester United, before finally the Red Devils appointed Erik ten Hag. Now, it only remains to be confirmed that Enrique will indeed replace Simeone starting next season. Provided that Simeone does not change his mind and decides to continue his contract until June 2024.
ASL
