It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the current success of Atlético Madrid is largely thanks to Diego Simeone. Before his arrival, the league was typically dominated by Barcelona and Real Madrid.
However, when Simeone took over and implemented his philosophy—centered on defensive solidity, quick counter-attacks, and a highly disciplined team structure—he rapidly transformed the squad into title contenders.
In his debut season, he led the team to Europa League glory and followed it up with even more silverware, including La Liga titles in the 2013-14 and 2020-21 seasons, breaking the long-standing dominance of the Barcelona-Real Madrid duopoly. Simeone's pragmatic approach earned him wide recognition, even though it contrasts with the possession-based philosophies of clubs like Barcelona and Manchester City.
