Diego Simeone has reportedly informed Atletico Madrid that he intends to leave the club this summer after over a decade in charge.
The Argentine was appointed at the Spanish capital club in December 2011 and has led them to an unprecedented period of success, winning eight trophies including two La Liga titles. He also led Atletico to the Champions League final in 2014 and 2016.
Atleti’s form has plummeted both domestically and in Europe since they lifted La Liga in the 2020/21 campaign. The team and multiple players have fallen out of form with club-record signing Joao Felix on the verge of joining Chelsea on a loan deal for the remainder of the campaign.
Simeone's side were eliminated from this season's Champions League group stage, propping up their group to ensure that they will not be participating in European competition past Christmas for the first time in his tenure at the club.
Atleti are also struggling for form domestically – they languish fifth in La Liga and a whopping 14 points off league leaders Barcelona. They are just two points above Athletic Club in seventh, with the possibility of missing out on European qualification this campaign.
A report from Spanish TV show El Chiringuito claims that Simeone has already made up his mind on leaving the club this summer and furthermore, this has already been communicated to the club’s board.
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Simeone's current contract at the club runs until the summer of 2024 and this decision would see him walk out of the club a year ahead of its expiration. The question of what is next for the Argentine is likely to become an increasing theme.
Simeone has previously been linked with a switch to Italian club Inter, for whom he played, but former Atletico Madrid wing-back Kieran Trippier – who won the Spanish league title under Simeone – believes a move to England would suit the boss.
Newcastle defender Trippier said: "I'd love to see him in the Premier League because I think he would be unbelievable. Simeone was incredible with me. He knew how I played. He changed my game defensively. He changed my game and the work I did individually, and I learned so much from him.
"His man-management was incredible. We lived in a compound called La Finca in Madrid. It was like St George's Park, lakes fields and stuff. You'd see him on walks and try to chat. His wife speaks perfect English. Can he manage in England one day? I would love to see it.
"He is a manager who has to speak fluently because he wants to get his message across. If he couldn't get his point across he would get agitated, frustrated."
