Despite the fact that there is a certain sector of public opinion that in recent years has been discussing Diego Pablo Simeone as a technician of the Atlético de Madrid. The truth is that the coach has changed the dynamics of the colchoneros since his arrival on the bench in 2011. Manzanares. A transformation that has made it one of the most powerful clubs on the world scene.
Last saturday the Cholo became the coach who has won the most titles in the Atlético de Madrid. Until that day it was tied with Luis Aragones. A stage in which the Argentine coach has won two Leagues, one Copa del Rey, two Europa League, two European Super Cups and one Spain Supercup. Without forgetting that he has remained on the verge of conquering the Champions League twice, something that no one in the rojiblanco team has achieved.
Simeone returned to take charge of Atlético de Madrid in December 2011. The team was touching the relegation places after a summer in which stars such as Omen, From Gea or Forlan. Not even making the effort to sign Falcao It seemed that there was hope in the team until the Argentine arrived. That season the team finished fifth, and was on the verge of fourth place that would have allowed it to enter Champions League.
Until that moment it was the best position that the colchoneros had held since the Double in 95-96. In 2007-08 and 2008-09 they had managed to qualify for the Champions League with Javier Aguirre first and with Abel Resino later. Although the most remembered campaign had been the 2009-10 when the team won the Europa League and was runner-up in the Copa del Rey. A few months later he won the European Super Cup.
Except for those seasons, the truth is that the campaigns of the Atlético de Madrid since his return to First division they had been between the middle of the table and the European positions. Adding a seventh place three times (2003-04, 2006-07 and 2010-11); a ninth place in 2009-10; a tenth place in 2005-06; an eleventh place in 2002-03 and finally a twelfth place in the 2004-05 campaign.
This has completely changed with Diego Pablo Simeone on the mattress bench. So far as long as it has been the full season, the team has finished in the top three, securing a place in the Champions League.
On five occasions he has finished third (2012-13, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2019-20). On two occasions he has finished second (2017-18 and 2018-19). To which must be added the two league titles that the colchoneros have achieved.
The first in 2013-14 in which they managed to prevail over the Barcelona from Messi and to Real Madrid from Cristiano Ronaldo Against all odds. And this season in which he has managed to impose himself despite all the adversities against which he has had to compete as positive for Covid, injuries, sanctions and some arbitration decisions.
So it has changed Diego Pablo Simeone the history of Atlético de Madrid: “Match by match.”