Diego Simeone is one of the most famous soccer coaches in the world. For more than a decade, he has been the boss at Atlético Madrid, a top club in Spain’s LaLiga. He has led his team through highs and lows, building a reputation as a passionate leader and one of the most intense managers in the sport. But as Simeone begins his 14th season in charge, things feel different — and not in a good way.
Fans, reporters, and even some people inside the club think he might be under more pressure than ever. Why? It’s been four full seasons without winning a single trophy. In the world of soccer, where success is measured in silverware (cups, titles, and medals), that’s a long time for a team like Atlético.
How Simeone Changed Atlético Madrid
Before Simeone arrived in December 2011, Atlético Madrid wasn’t exactly one of Europe’s scariest clubs. They had history — winning LaLiga (Spain’s top league) nine times before and even lifting the Copa del Rey and Europa League in past decades — but they were inconsistent.
Then came Simeone. The former Argentine midfielder had played for Atlético in the 1990s and early 2000s, so he already knew the club’s culture. As a coach, he transformed the team into a fierce, never-give-up machine. His style was all about tough defending, high energy, and teamwork.
Under him, Atlético did things that shocked the soccer world:
Won LaLiga in 2014 and 2021, breaking the dominance of Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Reached two UEFA Champions League finals (2014 and 2016) — though they lost both to Real Madrid.
Won the Copa del Rey (Spain’s main cup competition) in 2013.
Lifted two Europa League trophies (2012 and 2018) and multiple UEFA Super Cups.
For years, Simeone’s plan worked perfectly: stay organized, frustrate opponents, and strike when it mattered. Even richer teams with superstar lineups struggled against Atlético.
The Problem Now
The trouble started after Atlético’s last big success — winning LaLiga in 2021. Since then, the team hasn’t managed to win anything. Simeone has kept telling fans and the media that Atlético’s main goal is just to finish in the top three in LaLiga, not necessarily to win titles.
He argues that they can’t match Barcelona or Real Madrid in spending power. In fact, this is a real issue in Spanish soccer. Barcelona and Real Madrid are giants with worldwide fanbases, massive stadiums, and huge sponsorship deals. Real Madrid, for example, is the most successful club in Champions League history with 15 titles. Barcelona has five Champions League trophies and one of the most expensive squads in the world.
But here’s the catch — Atlético has also been spending a lot of money. Over the past year, they signed players like:
Julián Álvarez – World Cup winner with Argentina in 2022.
Alexander Sørloth – a tall, powerful striker.
Robin Le Normand – a strong defender from Real Sociedad.
Conor Gallagher – an energetic midfielder from England.
These signings, plus others like Alex Baena, David Hancko, Johnny Cardozo, and Thiago Almada this season, have cost over €350 million (about $405 million) combined. And that’s on top of already having stars like Antoine Griezmann, Jan Oblak, and Koke.
So when Simeone says the club can’t compete for titles, many fans feel confused — and frustrated.
The Board Thinks Bigger
Atlético’s owner, Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, clearly doesn’t agree with Simeone’s cautious targets. Just last week, he said:
“We firmly believe that we are building a squad to dream big. We are ambitious, we take risks, we have brought in and will continue to bring in new partners willing to invest capital.”
In other words: “We’ve spent big, so we expect big results.”
The PSG Disaster
If there was a moment that really turned up the heat on Simeone, it happened recently in the Club World Cup. This tournament features champion teams from all over the globe. For European clubs, it’s not just about prestige — it’s also extremely profitable.
Atlético didn’t even make it past the group stage. Their worst game was a crushing 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The French champions tore Atlético apart, exposing weaknesses that have been there for a while:
Struggling to defend against fast wingers and tricky wide players.
Trouble creating chances in attack when under pressure.
For a team known for defensive strength, conceding four goals was a big embarrassment.
Can Simeone Still Inspire the Team?
Simeone is still the highest-paid manager in Europe, earning more than coaches like Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid) or Xavi Hernández (Barcelona). With that kind of salary, expectations are huge.
But some people wonder if his ideas have grown stale. Soccer evolves quickly, and while his defense-first approach worked in the 2010s, more and more top teams now rely on faster, possession-based, attacking play. The question is: can Simeone adapt?
Why This Season Matters
Atlético Madrid kicks off their new LaLiga campaign on August 17 against Espanyol. Early results will be crucial. A bad start could lead to even more pressure on Simeone, maybe even talk about replacing him.
Here are some key things to watch:
New signings – Can players like Álvarez and Almada make an immediate impact?
Defense – Will they return to the rock-solid backline that made them famous?
Big matches – How will they do against Real Madrid and Barcelona? These games can define a season.
Fun Soccer Facts for Context
LaLiga has 20 teams and runs from August to May. The bottom three teams get relegated to the second division.
Winning LaLiga means playing in the next season’s Champions League, which brings huge prize money.
Atlético’s home stadium, the Cívitas Metropolitano, holds around 70,000 fans.
Simeone’s nickname is “El Cholo.” As a player, he won two Copa América titles with Argentina.
Final Thoughts
Diego Simeone will always be a legend at Atlético Madrid for what he’s done in the past. He took a struggling club and made them feared across Europe. But soccer doesn’t slow down for anyone.
If this season doesn’t bring trophies — or at least a serious fight for them — his long reign could be in danger. Fans want more than top-three finishes. They want to believe their team can beat anyone, just like in the glory days.
The ball is now at Simeone’s feet.
