Burgos says goodbye to almost 12 seasons in the athletic family

Yesterday was a day of mixed feelings in the Metropolitan Wanda. LaLiga concluded with the visit of the Royal Society to the mattress fief and the rojiblancos arrived with their homework done after certifying their classification for the Champions League several days ago. The only thing that was at stake was to secure third place, something that only needed to add one point, which was obtained with the final 1-1. Therefore, all that remained was to think about the quarterfinals of the Champions League with the satisfaction of having fulfilled the objective.

However, before the meeting the sad note of the day arrived. It was the last match of Germán Burgos as Simeone's assistant in the Wanda Metropolitano (You will still have the express format of the Champions League in Lisbon). The club prepared a nice tribute video for him his farewell to what has been his home for a total of 11 and a half seasons (eight and a half as a coach and three as a player). The Argentinian He had already announced on June 3 his decision to resume his career as head coach next season, although it is not yet known in which team.

Germán Burgos (51 years old) began his journey at Atlético in the 2001-02 campaign after signing from Mallorca to defend the rojiblanca goal in his attempt to return to the First Division from the hand of Luis Aragonés. That season he played a total of 35 games, achieving the long-awaited promotion to the highest category. The following campaign, already in First, played 17 games with the elastic red and white (14 in the League and three in the Cup), alternating the position with Esteban. 2003-04, with Gregorio Manzano on the bench, would be his last season as a mattress. He participated in 15 games (14 in the League and one in the Cup) and decided to hang up his gloves. In his three courses as an Atlético goalkeeper, Burgos played 67 games and received 76 goals.

The roads of Burgos and Atlético would be separated for almost eight and a half years (specifically until December 23, 2011). That day was announced Simeone's arrival on the rojiblanco bench and with him came the 'Mono' to be his main assistant. Since then, both have lived the most glorious time of Atlético, going from being a team several steps below the big ones to being able to fight from you to you not only with Real Madrid and Barcelona, ​​but with any team in Europe.

In these eight and a half seasons Burgos he has been 478 on the rojiblanco bench (326 in LaLiga, 48 in the Copa del Rey, 6 in the Spanish Super Cup, 70 in the Champions League, 26 in the Europa League and 2 in the European Super Cup). During this time his record includes seven titles: a League, a Copa del Rey, a Spanish Super Cup, two Europa League and two European Super Cups. Therefore, it can be considered that it has been a quite fruitful relationship. The bitter face were the two Champions League finals lost to Real Madrid and that they could have turned this duo into a red and white legend (if they are not already).

Although the ‘Monkey’ can be considered to have been in the shadow of Simeone these years, their role in the daily life of the rojiblancos has been capital to achieve the successes reaped. In fact, Burgos is considered the privileged mind behind the mattress strategy, which has borne so much fruit in recent years. But Germán has not only been a faithful assistant to Cholo during this time, but He has also had to demonstrate his coaching skills on several occasions. to replace his “boss” when he has been sanctioned. Since the arrival of both at the club, Burgos has had to lead the baton in 18 gamesIncluding two continental finals: the 2018 Europa League final against Marseille in Lyon and the European Super Cup that same year in Tallinn against Real Madrid. Both closed with victory for the rojiblancos, taking the titles home. Total, The balance of ‘Mono’ as head of the mattress bench is 13 wins, three draws and only two defeats. Surely this good work made him itch the bug to try his luck again leading a project in another club as headliner.