“Why am I still at Atlético de Madrid? I’m still here because I continue to believe that there’s more to come from us,” said a defiant Diego Simeone in a recent interview with DAZN, in which he looked back over his 13 years and five months at the helm of the club. “The club’s been through a challenging transition, and better times lie ahead,” stressed Simeone. “We’re on the right track.”
It is this combination of faith and ambition that sets Simeone apart and makes him a legend in the red-and-white half of the Spanish capital, not to mention the longest-serving coach among the 32 teams involved in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™.
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“We’re not just focused on winning trophies; we’re leaving a legacy for whoever follows on from us,” said Simeone. “We’re sending the message that finishing third is no longer good enough: we want more, even though we know how difficult it is. To that end, if we’re to become even more competitive, we need the club to be firing on all cylinders in all departments.”
Among El Cholo’s coaching counterparts at the Club World Cup, only Pep Guardiola and Brian Schmetzer are anywhere near the same ballpark in terms of length of service. The Catalan has occupied the Manchester City dugout for eight years and 11 months, while the American’s tenure at Seattle Sounders FC has only been four months shorter than that.
Meanwhile, Abel Ferreira has held the reins at Palmeiras for four years, Steve Cherundolo has been in the Los Angeles Football Club hot seat for three and Luis Enrique is approaching his two-year anniversary as Paris Saint-Germain coach.
None of the other managers at the competition has even completed a season in charge. This underscores the precarious nature of the profession, particularly at the top end of the game. Simeone is the exception that proves the rule. Thanks to his bond with the club that he calls home, and especially with the fans, he has become something of an icon, and his name will forever be synonymous with Atlético’s most glorious era to date.
Indeed, the Argentinian tactician is also second to none where Atlético are concerned. It is true that the 15 campaigns presided over by the late Luis Aragones put him two ahead of Simeone at present, but the current incumbent is way out in front when it comes to number of games and silverware.
As well as overseeing 732 matches at Atlético compared to the 612 racked up by the man who masterminded Spain’s UEFA EURO 2008 success, the Buenos Aires-born coach has guided the club to eight trophies to the Spaniard’s six. Simeone has captured two La Liga titles, a further two UEFA Europa League and UEFA Super Cup crowns apiece, plus a Copa del Rey and a Spanish Super Cup. In addition, he has led Atleti to two UEFA Champions League finals; before his reign, the Madrid outfit had only ever reached the continental showpiece once, back when it was still known as the European Cup.
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Naturally enough, Simeone’s achievements have earned him the unstinting backing of the Atleti board, headed by Chief Executive Officer Miguel Angel Gil Marin, a devoted and self-confessed Cholista. This is no less than the Argentinian deserves after returning the Rojiblancos to the European elite – a sentiment expressed by the club’s President, Enrique Cerezo, in an interview with Spanish sports discussion show El Chiringuito de Jugones: “Simeone is untouchable. He’s happy and enjoys living here in Madrid with his family. We love him and take good care of him. There are no issues between us, and the role is his for as long as he wants it. He’s doing a truly amazing job.”
Thirteen years into his tenure, Simeone is still going strong – including at the Club World Cup, where his side remain firmly in contention to progress following the 3-1 win over Seattle Sounders in their second group game. They may well need to beat Botafogo to advance, but few would rule out such a turn of events given the staying power and competitive spirit that the former midfielder has displayed time and again while in the driving seat.
