Atletico Madrid President blasts FIFA: Our manager deserves more recognition

Diego Simeone led Atletico to the Copa del Rey title getting the better of Real Madrid in the final

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, astonishingly, missed out on receiving a nomination for the Coach of the Year award at the Ballon d’Or awards. The Argentine led Atletico to a third-place finish in La Liga, won the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Super Cup.

Atletico Madrid’s President, Enrique Cerezo, spoke out about the decision to omit Simeone from the shortlist.

“He should have been nominated, but unfortunately for us we’re not the kind of club who makes the list. He deserved it. He’s one of those who most deserve it. He’s one of the coaches who have won the most trophies in the past few years. I’m more disappointed than annoyed. Simeone is the sensation of Europe”, said Cerezo.

Simeone has never been nominated for the award despite winning the Copa del Rey, UEFA Super Cup and the Europa League. His third-place finish last season was the highest the club had finished since 1996.

Their Copa del Rey victory was their first win at the Bernabeu in years and they matched that by winning 1-0 earlier this season to make it two consecutive victories at Real Madrid for the first time since 1921.

Diego Simeone’s second victory in four months at the Bernabeu was down to Diego Costa’s goal and that kept them level with Barcelona at the top of La Liga with seven wins from seven matches. To date, Atletico have lost one game and won all other 9 matches. They trail Barcelona by one point and are five clear of Real Madrid. For the first time in years, Atletico seem to be launching a title challenge and may well break up the formidable dominance of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

In fact, since 2009, Atletico have won five trophies to Real Madrid’s three – Simeone winning three of those five. It’s scandalous that he’s not made any of the past three shortlists considering his achievements at Atletico.

Hopefully he will be recognised this time next year where he’s likely to have had a successful 2014.

At. Madrid have scored 26 goals this season, all of their league goals have been scored inside the area.