Diego Simeone hits historic milestone at Atlético Madrid and he's not finished yet
The Rojiblancos beat Sevilla 6-1 at the Metropolitano on Saturday as the Argentine surpassed the legendary Luis Aragonés in his 613th game in charge
Atlético Madrid’s match against Sevilla at the Metropolitano on Saturday was another special occasion. In their previous home game, Atleti had worn orange to allow Athletic Club to play in red and white in a tribute to the Basque side. This time, they paid homage to one of their own.
Diego Simeone was taking charge of his 613th game as Atlético coach. That number was significant because it saw the Argentine surpass the 612 matches set by Atleti legend Luis Aragónes. Nobody in the history of Spanish football has more at one sole club.
The previous weekend, Simeone overtook legendary Real Madrid manager Miguel Muñoz in LaLiga games with his 425th match as Atlético coach in the competition. That came in the Madrid derby at the Santiago Bernabéu. But it was fitting that he should surpass Aragonés in a home fixture.
On the eve of the match against Sevilla, Simeone published a letter to Luis. “You know I'm not really into these things, showing feelings of this kind in public,” he wrote. “But today I want to do it. I want to do it to tell you that I start this letter almost with tears in my eyes and a huge feeling of emotion, but above all respect. I find it hard to believe that tomorrow [Saturday] I will overcome the number of matches, 612, which we share today leading our beloved Atleti.”
In the final paragraph, he added: “I know that Atleti was your life and it’s also mine, that is why I did not want this moment to pass by unnoticed, because I know that today, only you can understand me.” It was posted at 19:03 local time and not by accident, with those numbers representing the year Atlético were founded: 1903.
Aragonés never coached Simeone at Atlético, but he was in charge at Sevilla during the Argentine’s time at the Sánchez Pizjuán. When an offer came in from Atleti to sign the midfielder in 1994 and the player had doubts, he sought advice from his manager. “What are you waiting for to go there?” Aragonés told him.
On Saturday, Sevilla were Atlético’s opponents and ahead of kick-off, Aragonés’ son presented Simeone with a framed Atleti shirt with the number 613 on the back. The coach’s two young daughters were there and also his son Giovanni, who plays for Napoli. And there was, of course, a heartfelt ovation from the fans.
Out on the pitch, the players made sure it was a happy occasion. Atlético produced one of their best performances of the season and thrashed Sevilla 6-1. Six goals scored, one conceded, three points won: 6-1-3.
When Simeone was appointed as Atlético coach in December 2011, the Rojiblancos were 10th in La Liga and had just been knocked out of the Copa del Rey by third-tier Albacete. By the end of the season, the Argentine had led them to the Europa League title and followed up that success by winning the UEFA Super Cup against Chelsea. The following season, Atleti beat Real Madrid for the first time since 1999. In the Copa del Rey final. At the Santiago Bernabéu.
In 2014, Atlético won La Liga with a draw at Barcelona on the final day and also came within seconds of claiming the Champions League trophy, losing out in extra time to Real Madrid after Sergio Ramos’ leveller in the 93rd minute. Two years later, Atleti were so close again, this time beaten on penalties by their fierce rivals in Milan. In total, there have been eight trophies for Simeone with the Rojiblancos, along with those two near misses in the European Cup.
The Champions League final defeats definitely hurt, but Atlético had not been competitive against Real Madrid before Simeone’s arrival. Fans of Los Blancos had even famously mocked Atleti by unfurling a disparaging banner in 2011. “Wanted: worthy rival for decent derby,” it read. Be careful what you wish for.
Simeone changed all that. Despite the European losses, Atleti have had plenty of joy against Madrid, beating Los Blancos in Copa del Rey, Supercopa and UEFA Super Cup finals, as well as finishing above Real in LaLiga on a number of occasions. There were three consecutive league wins at the Bernabéu, too, plus a 4-0 victory at the Vicente Calderón.
But this latest milestone comes at a more difficult time. Atleti are out of Europe altogether after finishing last in their Champions League group and saw their Copa del Rey hopes end in another derby defeat as they lost 3-1 after extra time to Madrid in January. There will be no trophies this season and for a while, even a place in the top four appeared in doubt.
Some speculated that the recent derby would be Simeone’s last. There was the feeling that things were coming to an end and that this summer might be the time for the club to part ways with the world’s highest-paid coach, even though he is under contract until 2024. Suddenly, though, results have picked up. Optimism has returned.
Saturday’s 6-1 win saw Atlético move up to third place in LaLiga. Led by the outstanding Antoine Griezmann, Simeone’s side have clicked into gear since the World Cup break and providing that upturn in form continues, he will be expected to stay another season.
“An important day for him is an important day for me,” Griezmann said after Saturday’s match. “I really wanted to make this a magical day for him, for the fans and for my team-mates.” Lovely words. And the pair’s emotional embrace seemed to suggest more of a new beginning than an imminent end to this special story.
“I’m calm, at peace, and where I want to be,” the Argentine said after the match. He was also asked to pick three games from his 613. “Against Chelsea in London, the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals; against Barcelona at Camp Nou, the day we won LaLiga; and the second Champions League final in Milan, because you can’t get any closer than that…”
Three matches out of 613 that sum up Simeone’s spectacular reign at Atlético Madrid. And although the team has not come close to those highs in the last couple of seasons, he has been written off many times before over this past decade and come back to win.
“The best thing is that this club forces me to prove myself over and over again,” Simeone said in January. “I love that.” So too do the fans and it is a quote that reflects the fight and the fervour of the Argentine’s time at Atleti. He is not finished yet.
Diego Simeone is a legend! Good one Ben! I'm a huge fan.