Why Diego Simeone has never managed in the Premier League as Atletico Madrid prepare to face Liverpool

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 17/09/2025

- 12:50

ANALYSIS: GB News sports editor Jack Otway takes a look at the charismatic Argentine ahead of tonight's Champions League clash at Anfield

When Atletico Madrid face Liverpool in the Champions League this evening, in a match that has the makings of a classic, all eyes will be on Diego Simeone and whether he can mastermind yet another night at Anfield to remember.

It was, after all, in 2020 when his Atletico team won 4-2 on Merseyside to send the Reds - who were the defending champions - crashing out of Europe's premier competition.


Simeone, that night, channeled his inner Jose Mourinho by sprinting down the Anfield touchline in celebration. Despite angering Liverpool fans he made no apologies for his actions, having been overcome with emotion in the moment.

For Liverpool, it was an aggravating image - one that truly rubbed salt into the wounds. For Atletico, it was yet another moment under their charismatic, colourful manager to savour.

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Diego Simeone runs down the touchline after Atletico Madrid beat Liverpool back in 2020

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Simeone has, over the years, built Atletico into a force to be reckoned with. Though his tactics can sometimes raise eyebrows, due to the Argentine's fondness for the dark arts that he often tapped into during his own playing days, he has established himself as one of the best managers of his generation.

When he first rocked up in Spain, Atletico were a team stuck in a rut and lightyears away from scaling the same heights as rivals such as Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Simeone joined in December 2011 and immediately made his mark by steering the club to Europa League glory, with Radamel Falcao particularly brilliant as they beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 in the final in Bucharest.

The rest, as the old saying goes, is history.

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Ahead of tonight's match between Atletico and Liverpool, Simeone's CV makes for spectacular reading given the managers he's often been up against during his time in the Spanish capital.

There have been two LaLiga titles, won in 2014 and 2021. Both times, Barcelona and Real Madrid had started as favourites. Both times, they were simply overcome by Simeone's efficient winning machine.

The 55-year-old has also won another Europa League title, with that feat achieved in 2018, while there have been triumphs in the Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup and UEFA Super Cup to enjoy as well.

Had it not been for Real Madrid, and Cristiano Ronaldo, they'd potentially have won the Champions League in both 2014 and 2016 as well.

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Diego Simeone has turned Atletico Madrid into a force during his time in charge

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Those defeats probably still keep Simeone up at night. They were seconds away from winning that tournament in 2014, only for Sergio Ramos to head home at the death - with Real then running riot in extra-time.

Two years later, it was penalties that denied Simeone a place among the managerial greats. Ronaldo, of course, scored the winner from 12 yards in the shootout.

Fast-forward to now and Atletico, despite a slow start to the season, are established as dark horses for Champions League glory. With Simeone in charge, few would bet against them going all the way.

And Premier League fans can certainly be forgiven for wishing the Argentine was coaching on these shores, rather than abroad.

Unfortunately, however, that is unlikely to ever happen.

Simeone came closest to leaving for England in 2014 after Manchester United axed David Moyes, who had replaced Sir Alex Ferguson the year before. The Red Devils briefed that the Atletico boss was their No 1 target but, after politely declining, opted to bring in Louis van Gaal on that occasion instead.

Simeone has, simply put, no interest in life in England. He is Atletico through and through and though he's been linked with just about every top job in the Premier League, there has never been a side close to making him their man.

He also doesn't speak the language, too. Kieran Trippier, now at Newcastle, spent a couple of years playing under Simeone in Spain. Speaking in 2020, the England international admitted it could be hard for the pair to 'understand each other'.

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Diego Simeone could leave Atletico Madrid for Inter Milan in the future

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There is just one European giant who could potentially poach him in the future: Inter Milan.

In 2023, Simeone said: “I often meet Inter and Lazio fans who ask me to come back. Who knows? I would certainly like it.”

The 55-year-old has worked wonders in Spain. Barring Italy, that's where he's expected to stay for the foreseeable future.

Rival bosses, undoubtedly, will be relieved.