A survey published in early November posed an easy question: Do you think Diego Simeone’s era at Atlético Madrid is over?
In response, 46% of the 5,000 respondents said “yes, he should resign”, while about 17% said “yes, he should be sacked” and 19% said “yes, he should leave at the end of the season”. Only 18% said “no, he should stay at the club”.
Five months later, Atlético Madrid are applying pressure to Real Madrid in second place in the LaLiga standings and, had the season started after the World Cup, Atleti would be only a few points behind Barcelona in a title race.
Since then, only Barcelona have conceded fewer goals (four, compared to Atleti’s five) while only Real Madrid have scored more (24 from Los Blancos to 22 from Los Colchoneros).
Simeone has turned the team around. His tactics have been tweaked, with one of the most notable changes being the arrival of Mario Hermoso back in the team to provide more salida in possession from the back with better distribution.
He’s got more out of key players, too. Koke and Antoine Griezmann are among those who look to be playing some of their best football of recent years.
But even more importantly, Simeone has got Atlético playing as a team. There is no clearer testament to that than Álvaro Morata. The Spain captain was involved in four goals in 80 minutes off the bench in three consecutive games. When asked if he was getting tired of being a substitute, his answer was clear. “I’m here to help the team,” he said. It was a Cholista response.
He’s not the only one either. On Sunday, Ángel Correa came off the bench to score a magnificent goal at the death of a crucial battle against Real Betis.
This is a squad of players who believe in their coach and his ideas. It was no coincidence that the small group of players who most heavily doubted in him (João Félix, Matheus Cunha, Renan Lodi and Felipe) all mysteriously departed over recent months.
The club’s CEO, Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, went as far as to come to an agreement with Spain coach Luis Enrique to take over in the summer, pending a final decision on Simeone’s future. He’s since backed out.
When Diego Simeone broke Luis Aragonés’ record as the coach to have led Atlético Madrid for the most games, with 613 for the tie against Sevilla, the Metropolitano bowed in admiration. “Olé, olé, olé, Cholo Simeone,” and “Diego Pablo Simeone” rang around the stands.
The 6-1 thrashing that Atleti dished out to Sevilla, who for a time pushed them as top four rivals, showed just what he has achieved with the club. And just what he has achieved this very season.
In the season of his worst ever performance in Europe and a terrible first half of the campaign, Simeone has found a way to instil a sense of hope and belief among Colchoneros.
Atleti are playing some of their best football since winning the league in 2020/21, and they’re doing it with the stadium rocking behind them. Simeone has unified a divided fanbase. Because he was what brought people together by achieving the impossible with a complete turnaround.
Diego Simeone’s revival is a miracle which only he could achieve.