Diego Simone hit a new milestone as manager of Atletico Madrid on Saturday as he managed his 613th encounter at the club against Sevilla in a La Liga match at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
The 54-year-old surpassed the late club great Luis Aragones who managed 612 games during his time with the Madrid based side.
Diego Simone accompanied by his daughters
Simone was in the company of his children as he was given a shirt to signify the new record he has set.
A son of late coach Luis Aragones who was the holder of the record, handed the shirt to Diego Simone before the game started.
The shirt had the inscription “Legend Simone” written on the back of the jersey and even the electronic showing around the turf chroused their coach’s name to show their gratitude for his service.
The Argentine’s brand of football
Diego Simone plays a brand of football that shows high level of competition, attention and physicality. The Argentine assisted Atlético Madrid to win the 2014 and 2021 La Liga title in addition to the Copa Del Ray won in 2013.
Atletico Madrid have shown that they can ruffle feathers with heavyweights Real Madrid and Barcelona for domestic glory.
Before the arrival of Diego Simone at Atlético Madrid, the previous time they won the La Liga and Copa Del Ray was in 1996.
That year, Atlético Madrid did the local double winning the La Liga and Copa Del Ray under the tutelage of Radomir Antic.
The Argentine also guided Atlético Madrid to the 2014 and 2016 UEFA Champions League losing on both occasions to Real Madrid.
He led the team to UEFA Europa League glory in 2012 and 2018, alongside winning two European Super Cup titles.
Atletico Madrid haven’t had the best of season under Diego Simone this season
However, this present season hasn’t been wonderful so far for the Atlético Madrid side as they are struggling to battle in the title race for the La Liga in addition to crashing out of the UEFA Champions League in the group stage.
Reports have also been flying around of the possibility of Diego Simone calling an end to his time with the Madrid based side.
He has managed six clubs so far in his career, namely: Racing Club where he spent two stints in 2006 and 2011, Estudiantes, River plate, San Lorenzo, Catania and Atlético Madrid.
Atletico Madrid were menacing on the historic night against Sevilla as they smashed the team led by Jorgen Sampaoli at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
They inflicted pain on Los Nervionenses as goals from Memphis Depay, Antoine Griezmann, Yannick Carrasco and a brace from Spanish forward Alvaro Morata handed them a 6-1 victory.
Sevilla’s only consolation goal came from Moroccan forward Youssef En-Nesyri.
Atletico Madrid back in the top three
Due to that remarkable victory against Sevilla, Atlético Madrid have moved to third place In the La Liga table usurping Real Sociedad into third position.
Simone taking his gaze back at how his journey with Atlético Madrid began, he stated: “From my first day as a player here I knew that this was a different club. . . . And I knew that I would end up coaching here.”
He also revealed the key ingredients of his victory with The Colchoneros: “You always know that they can fire you tomorrow, and that is what keeps you focused on the game at hand.”
While in active days on the football pitch as a professional footballer, he played for several teams which include: Veles Sarsfield, Pisa, Sevilla, Atlético Madrid, Inter Milan, Lazio, Atlético Madrid once again and Racing Club before he retired.
For Argentina, he lifted the 1991 Copa América in Chile alongside the 1993 Copa América in Ecuador.
