Atletico Madrid News
Diego Simeone set to leave Atletico Madrid at the end of the season – report
Diego Simeone is widely recognised as one of the great reformers at Atletico Madrid. Since taking charge in 2011, the Argentine tactician has changed the outlook and fortunes of the capital club from Spain, notably winning two La Liga titles.
However, Simeone’s status at Atleti has taken a slight hit recently, following the club’s underwhelming performances in both the league and in Europe.
Since winning the league in 2020, Atletico Madrid have found limited success in the competitions, notably getting knocked out of Europe during the first half of the ongoing campaign.
Atletico Madrid’s shock exit from Europe, coupled with their shortcomings in La Liga has led to increased doubts over Simeone’s future at the club.
Amidst this, journalist Paco Garcia on El Chiringuito has claimed that the Argentine coach is set to leave the Metropolitano at the end of the season. It is stated that Simeone has already informed Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin about his decision to leave in the summer.
This should come as a major shock for Atletico Madrid fans, who have come to idolise Simeone for what he has done for the club.
The 52-year-old tactician, after all, has overseen 604 competitive matches in charge of the Rojiblancos. During this period, he has secured 354 wins with a points-per-game ratio of almost 2.
In addition to his longevity, Simeone has led Los Colchoneros to eight titles, including a couple of La Liga trophies. More importantly, the Argentine was able to bring forth an identity Atleti have now become synonymous with – a brand of aggressive football with emphasis on defensive rigidity and counter-attacking football.
But with Simeone now facing an uncertain future at the club, Atletico Madrid have a crucial period ahead as they look to not only convince the Argentine to prolong his stay at the club but also search for replacements, in case the manager has already made up his mind about an exit from the Civitas Metropolitano.
There is no doubt that Atletico Madrid are bracing themselves for a busy summer ahead as they look to address the future of some of their star players. One of them is Saul Niguez, who has fallen out of favour under Diego Simeone and could leave the club.
A recent report from Mundo Deportivo has offered an update on the future of the Spaniard, suggesting that the player has once again become a market attraction.
The versatile star was on loan at Chelsea last season, but his spell at Stamford Bridge was far from ideal, as he featured in less than 500 minutes of league football. He returned to Atletico Madrid in the summer, and even though he wanted to leave the club, a move did not materialise.
Saul was even linked with a move away from Atleti in January. But Valencia, who were interested in him at the time, could not afford the deal, particularly because of the player’s salary and transfer fees.
The report from Mundo Deportivo states that Valencia have retained their interest in the player. But in addition to Los Che, Saul has been targeted by two other Spanish teams in the form of Rayo Vallecano and Sevilla.
Rayo have expressed the desire to sign Saul in the coming season. But they are likely to face economic difficulties in funding a move for the midfielder. The same can be said for Sevilla.
Saul’s current contract at Atletico Madrid expires in 2026, a deal that was agreed when the player was at his peak. But the long contract has now come back to haunt Atleti, as they desperately look to get rid of the Spanish international.
With his suitors likely to face financial trouble in weighing up a move, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for Saul in the coming summer.
Saul is not the only Atletico Madrid player facing an uncertain future, with Axel Witsel’s father also hinting at a possible exit recently.
