ManagerArgentina

Diego Simeone

El Cholo: Atlético Madrid's fiercest architect, and their most decorated coach.

Role
Head coach
Club
Atlético Madrid
Born
28 April 1970
Birthplace
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Illustration of Diego Simeone on the touchline
8Trophies at Atlético Madrid, a club record
2011Took charge, in December
2La Liga titles, 2014 and 2021
2Champions League finals reached
106Argentina caps as a player
1,000Career matches as a manager, by May 2026

About Diego Simeone

Diego Simeone played 106 times for Argentina as a combative midfielder, winning the Copa América in 1991 and 1993. His club career ran through Vélez Sarsfield, Pisa and Sevilla, then a first spell at Atlético Madrid where he took the 1996 league and cup double, before Inter Milan (the 1998 UEFA Cup) and Lazio (the 2000 Serie A title).

He returned to Atlético as manager in December 2011 and built the most successful era in the club's history. Known as El Cholo, he has won two La Liga titles, two Europa Leagues, a Copa del Rey and two UEFA Super Cups, reached two Champions League finals, and become the club's longest-serving coach. In May 2026 he took charge of his 1,000th match as a manager.

Playing style

4-4-2

El Cholismo: two banks of four, ferocious intensity, and a defensive structure that gives nothing away. Every player defends, and the collective is the star.

  • Defensive blockA drilled two-bank-of-four, hard to break down
  • IntensityTotal commitment and pressure on every ball
  • MarginsWins tight games from set pieces and transitions

Clubs managed

  • Estudiantes2006–2007
    The 2006 Apertura, his first title as a coach in Argentina.
  • River Plate2007–2008
    The 2008 Clausura, a second Argentine championship.
  • Catania2010–2011
    A season in Serie A before returning to Argentina.
  • Atlético Madrid2011–present
    The most successful and longest-serving coach in the club's history.

Honours

  • 2
    La Liga2013/14 and 2020/21
  • 2
    UEFA Europa League2012 and 2018
  • 2
    UEFA Super Cup2012 and 2018
  • 1
    Copa del Rey2013
  • 1
    Supercopa de España2014

Records

Atlético MadridMost successful and longest-serving manager in club history
Milestone1,000th match as a manager, reached in May 2026
Champions LeagueTwo finals reached, in 2014 and 2016
As a playerThe 1996 La Liga and Copa del Rey double with Atlético
ArgentinaSee the national team hub

Frequently asked

Sources

Reference facts (honours, records, clubs managed) are sourced above. Current job and squad details reflect the date this page covers and can change.

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