5 famous Manager and Assistant Manager duos in football

#4 German Burgos and Diego Simeone

German Burgos shouting instructions to his players during a La Liga Game

“I’m not Tito, I’ll rip your head off”

El Mono directed this threat towards “The Special One” during a fiercely contested Madrid derby in 2012. If you’re wondering who El Mono is, let me introduce you to German Burgos, assistant manager of Atletico Madrid and a trusted advisor of Diego Simeone.

The former Argentina man was an imposing goalkeeper during his playing days. Burgos and Simeone were teammates at Atletico Madrid and Argentina. After retiring from professional football, Burgos was the lead singer of a rock band named “The Garb”. Simeone wanted his longtime friend to join him as an assistant, but the Argentine wanted to pursue the singing career. After repeated attempts, Simeone finally managed to convince Burgos to join him.

After helping Serie A side Catania avoid relegation and a brief spell at Racing club, the duo arrived in the Spanish capital to manage Atletico Madrid in 2011. Since their arrival, the Rojiblancos have gone from a little-known team in La Liga to be the only side to win La Liga other than Real Madrid and Barcelona in last decade and reach the Champions League final twice.

Simeone and Burgos share similar views on football and instinctively know what the other is thinking. Both Simeone and Burgos are “strong characters”, as once admitted by Burgos himself. His image might be as a man with flashing temper, but Burgos is an extremely hard working and an intelligent coach.

He became the first coach in the world to use the Google Glass during a La Liga game. While Simeone is an animated figure on the touchline, Burgos takes a step back and coolly watches the game, analysing every move of his players. Under the guidance of the Argentine coaching pair, Atleti have become a side known for their extremely well-organised defence.

While this season may not have gone according to his plans, El Mono would surely want his side to challenge for La Liga next season. For a man who has beaten Cancer, led a Rock band, and threatened to rip off Jose Mourinho’s head, winning the Spanish title again does not seem like an impossible task.