Simeone Grateful to Reach 700 Matches with Atlético

Diego Simeone will manage his 700th game for Atlético Madrid when they host Alavés in La Liga on Saturday. The Argentine coach expressed gratitude on Friday for reaching this milestone despite ongoing speculation about his future.

Nearing 13 years at the helm since his appointment in December 2011, Simeone has transformed Atlético from an underperforming side into serious competitors against Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.

During his tenure, Atlético has won two La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey, two Europa League trophies, and reached two Champions League finals, losing both to Real Madrid. His defensive discipline is exemplified by the team’s record of keeping 326 clean sheets under his guidance.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s match, Simeone said: “First and foremost, I want to thank everyone who has worked with me on the coaching staff, including those no longer here, and all the players who have made it possible for me to stay at the club for so long.

“I’m also grateful to Miguel Ángel [the CEO] and Enrique Cerezo [the president] for their constant support and to our fans for the respect they’ve always shown me. I’m extremely grateful to Atlético. I’m very happy to have experienced all these matches.”

Despite the club’s strong reputation, their start to the current season has raised questions about Simeone’s future. Atlético sits third in La Liga, seven points behind leaders Barcelona after five draws. In the Champions League, they are 23rd midway through the group stage.

Simeone, whose contract runs until June 2027, remains unfazed by the speculation. “I’m focused on Alavés,” he said. “I’m not thinking about anything else. I’m focused on overcoming this important match.”

After securing four consecutive wins across all competitions before the international break, Simeone emphasized the importance of the upcoming eight matches.

“Alavés is coming, and we know their style,” he said. “They play direct and fast. We know many of their players because they’ve been here at Atlético. We need to approach the game at a high intensity, and that’s what we’ll aim for.”