The indisputable records of the questioned Simeone

He is increasingly discussed even among Atlético's own fans because everything tires, his style does not attract and he is criticized for such conservative approaches as the one in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals at Manchester City's fiefdom, but Cholo's numbers Simeone explain why the club continues to support him, with two more years left on his contract, and they reward him with the highest salary for a coach in the world, around 20 million net a year.

The indisputable records of the questioned Simeone

He is increasingly discussed even among Atlético's own fans because everything tires, his style does not attract and he is criticized for such conservative approaches as the one in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals at Manchester City's fiefdom, but Cholo's numbers Simeone explain why the club continues to support him, with two more years left on his contract, and they reward him with the highest salary for a coach in the world, around 20 million net a year.

In a gray season, full of ups and downs and with the worst defensive records with the Argentine on the bench (41 goals conceded in 36 games), in the end Atlético has obtained its tenth consecutive qualification for the Champions League with two games to go. An unparalleled record in the rojiblanca entity and that guarantees sporting and economic stability.

They can finish third in the regular tournament if they beat Sevilla next season and in the top continental competition they were about to eliminate the Pep Guardiola team and face Real Madrid in the semi-finals. Since bottoming out against Levante at the Wanda and conjuring himself up for the dispute of a 14-day mini-championship, he already has nine wins, two losses and a draw. A record more than remarkable.

Against Elche, Cholo played his 400th league game with Atlético. A round figure that seems from another era and endorses the confidence that the rojiblancos leaders have in the Argentine. He only has Luis Aragonés, Atlético myth, and Miguel Muñoz, Real Madrid icon, ahead of him in the Spanish tournament. If nothing changes, the next course will surpass them. He is only seven games away from Sabio de Hortaleza and somewhat further from the former white coach and former national team manager, who holds the record for the most First Division games with a club (424).

The comparison with the ten years prior to Cholo's landing, in December 2011, is overwhelming. In that period, Atlético only played the Champions League twice, falling in the group stage of the 09-10 season, with Quique Sánchez Flores on the bench, and in the round of 16 a season earlier, with Vasco Aguirre as coach. And the previous participation in the Champions League dates back to 96-97, losing in the quarterfinals with Ajax in the course after the double with Radomir Antic. In all their history prior to Simeone, the rojiblancos only played the European Cup eight times.

«In an irregular season, the deserved objective is reached. It makes us return to the Champions League for another year, which is very important above all for the club, and allows us to imagine a new season with a good 'vibe'”, stressed Simeone after Wednesday's victory at the Martínez Valero. The 400 games? "It's an important moment, but if it weren't for all the players it would be impossible to be there for so long. I am grateful, lucky because I have a club that supported me in difficult times. The round trip is there, but all the players who have passed allowed us this possibility.


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