Top 10 Young Football Managers (Part Two)

3. Diego Simeone

Age: 43

Nationality: Argentine

Current club: Atletico Madrid

Previous clubs: Racing; Estudiantes; River Plate; San Lorenzo; Catania

Major Honours/Accolades: UEFA Europa League (2012); Copa del Rey (2012-13); UEFA Super Cup (2012); Argentine Primera Division (2006 & 2008)

Expert Views:

Diego Simeone has earned great success at Atlético Madrid through his combination of matching a winning mentality with a highly organised and rigid tactical approach. At a club he must know like the back of his hand following two spells as a player, ‘El Cholo’ demands instant respect from the team and fans alike, having built a relatively small squad of whom all are very closely-knit and disciples of his managerial style. Anybody not on board with the system is seen as detrimental to the group’s harmony and is made to seek an exit.

Never someone to mess around, Simeone simply looks to maximise the potential of his workforce to the very fullest, by putting his complete faith in them and playing to their strengths in return for 100% commitment and desire to help the team win. Tactically his most common approach is highly conservative, building upon a strong defensive unit, and since his arrival at Atlético he has turned their once ridiculed backline into the most secure in Spain. He also has a dedicated coaching team behind him, who together work tirelessly to prepare for each opponent and counter any threat they may be posed with.

Back in February 2012 he told press that he would “prefer to have one chance and score one goal than have 15 and score none”, and that has been clearly demonstrated on more than one occasion since then. However, it has proven effective and over time he has shown he can provide the consistency so many of his predecessors have failed to. His style may not resemble the free-flowing attacking football Atleti fans have been used to, but is of the ruthless, winning variety they have craved for so long.