One of the most ’colorful’ coaches in the world right now is Diego Simeone. Atletico Madrid’s manager has been in charge of the current Spanish champion for more than a decade, and last year he brought them one of his two La Liga titles, he’s got two Europa Leagues, and the Copa del Rey to show for. He was on Atletico’s bench for more than 500 times. A total opposite to their opponent, Manchester United. After a long time coach sir Alex Ferguson left the club, the Red Devils have been a prime example of instability. Hundreds of billions Ksh were invested in players who underperformed or were sold by the next manager. And speaking of managers, Diego was appointed in 2011, while sir Alex was still in charge of Manchester. 11 years forward, the fierce Argentinian is still at the helm of Atletico, while United changed 8 coaches (including caretaker and interim managers): Alex Ferguson, David Moyes, Ryan Giggs, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick, and Ralf Rangnick. Not including Ferugson, they all have a combined record of 492 games, while Simeone alone has 563. Rangnick: “Diego Simeone is probably one of the best emotional managers in Europe. The style of the way his teams have always performed reflects those emotions that he brings to the team.”#Ralf Rangnick #MUFC #Ragnick pic.twitter.com/EM3H96t1Xj— Mutd360 (@Mutd_360) February 22, 2022 The fiery boss has often shown expressive touchline antics during his career, and even received red cards as a manager, because his main characteristic is – emotions. At least that’s how Kieran Trippier describes him. Newcastle’s full back used to play for Diego and shared his thoughts about the Argentinian. „I was very excited to go and play for him, and what you see on the touchline, this is what he is like every day in training. He is so emotional, obsessed. There have been times when I’ve been in bed, asleep, and he has called me. It is crazy, something I have never experienced. He is talking about things I could have done better and I’m trying to sleep. I’ve had random texts, calls from him talking about the game and that is where he is obsessed. He is an unbelievable manager. Emotional is the exact word to describe him. Every moment he is football crazy. If you don’t work hard he will just pull you out. He doesn’t care how good or how big a name you are – you need to run. He is relentless, but an unbelievable manager. In training it was frustrating at times because some of the boys were diving and it did my head in, but you get used to it. It can be frustrating but it is the way they have been brought up and the way they play. Getting in each other’s faces and sprinting to the referee. I am not that type of player to do it in games, but it is what it is“ explained Trippier to BBC Radio 5.United or Atleti? Ajax or Benfica? Tonight, we’re getting two more UCL quarter-finalistsFormer England international switched over from Atletico to Newcastle during the January transfer window and he credits Simeone as someone who helped his to mature and play better defensively. „I admire him – it comes down to respect. Everyone respects him because he respects his players – he has so much trust in his players. The most important thing is how he was with players who weren’t playing. He was so intense with them the day after the games and he just gains so much respect. I learnt so much. I made it clear when I went there I wanted to improve my defending, and he worked me so hard on the training field throughout the time I was there on my own after the training sessions. I respect him for that. He worked with me for hours – everything has made me mature as a person. His speeches are unbelievable. You just know Simeone will be flying around the dressing room before the second leg – he will be so intense. He will be telling the players how much it means to the club and to the fans“ said Trippier.
