As soon as Atletico Madrid were beaten by Real Madrid in the finals, Diego Simeone came out and said that he was unsure if he would continue at Atletico Madrid. He said, “Do I have to continue with Atlético or is it the end of a cycle? I have to think about that,” he continued.
“It’s a logical question for you to ask after a defeat like the one we’ve suffered today.” Those words at the time clearly displayed that the former Atletico Madrid man was not satisfied with the situation at Atletico, making him hungry for a new challenge. He was linked to several clubs and international teams since that revelation.
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And while he has re-committed to Atleti since, whilst Simeone was in two minds, we let our imagination run wild. Here are five destinations El Cholo could’ve chosen instead of staying on at Atletico Madrid:
1. Argentina
It is only logical for a decorated former player to one day coach his own national team. El Cholo is no different. He has the pedigree that a coach needs to succeed at the international level, complemented by the hunger and the desire to always win a game at any cost.
So great is his passion to win a game that Phil Neville once said about the man,“It really is win at all costs for him and I think Simeone would shoot his grandma to win a football match.
He is just that type.” He would’ve been the right person to bring Argentina back to their glory days as the Albiceleste have lost three out of three finals that they have played including the 2014 World Cup finals, 2015 Copa Americas and the recently held 2016 Copa America Centenario.
2. Arsenal
Arsenal fans have been crying out for the board to finally take the big step of removing long-standing manager Arsene Wenger with a younger and a hungrier one. Who else other than Diego Simeone? With all the major clubs either having appointed new managers or being extremely happy with the status quo, Simeone could’ve definitely looked at the North London club as an option.
He is a proven achiever, winning the league against the like of Real Madrid and Barcelona and reaching the Champions League twice in three years. Arsenal fans have been left frustrated as their club has now failed to win the Premier League since they won it in the 2003/04 season when they went undefeated.
The Gunners have also failed to reach the latter stages of the Champions League, having stumbled in the round of 16 for the last five years. This move could’ve definitely paid dividends as a change in management had the chance to propel Arsenal once again into becoming a club that challenges for titles.
3. England
England has continuously disappointed at major tournaments over the last few years. It is surprising that people still have expectations from a team that does not know what to do with the ball. They are one dimensional and former coach Roy Hodgson did nothing to rectify that.
They were dismal at Euro 2016 as they were kicked out by Iceland in the round of 16, for whom the Euros were their first major tournament. A manager like Diego Simeone would’ve certainly knocked some ball retention sense into a team that sometimes looks bereft of ideas. He would have also changed the work ethic culture there with his high pressing mantra.
The players would have been dealt a reality check and they would have to work twice as hard as they had ever done. El Cholo would’ve been the perfect man to turn a bunch of individuals into a team. He would’ve worked overtime to instill the winning mentality a team like England needs.
4. Inter Milan
Inter Milan is a club close to Diego Simeone’s heart. He has stated before that he wants to coach Inter in the past, prompting widespread hysteria in Milan after he announced that he will be evaluating his future at Atletico Madrid.
Inter Milan are in dire need of a coach who can get them back to their glory days, the most recent of which was under one Jose Mourinho. Since the new Manchester United Boss Jose Mourinho left the club for Real Madrid. Diego Simeone’s style is pretty similar to Mourinho, making him the perfect candidate to make Inter a powerhouse again.
Inter Milan have had a tough time in Seria A as Juventus have been in excellent form as they won their fifth straight Seria A title. Inter under the management of Roberto Mancini, finished fourth in the league behind winners Juventus, Napoli and Roma, and for a club of their stature would be disappointed as they must feel they should be perennial contenders. So a change in management with Simeone taking over would have been a match made in heaven for the newly rich again Milan giants.
5. Spain
Spain are going through a transition phase as their golden era has come to end in the most anti-climactic way. It started with their failure to qualify for the knockout phases of the 2014 World Cup, where they lost to Netherlands 5-1.
Their second was dealt when they lost to an underpowered Italy in the round of 16 clash at Euro 2016, after failing to finish first in the group. Italy’s win was masterminded by future Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, who despite having a much weaker team went on to beat Spain 2-0 in France.
Thus the appointment of Diego Simeone would have come at the most opportune time with Vicente del Bosque set to abdicate the manager’s chair. The Argentine would have added the urgency that Spain are so direly lacking currently and he could have made the two-time European Champions into a force to be reckoned with again.
The importance of young coaches has gone up manifold as proven by what Diego Simeone did with Atletico Madrid and Antonio Conte did with Juventus and Italy. While it is a big loss for the teams mentioned above, at least we can rest assured that Atletico Madrid will be a force to be reckoned with this coming season.
