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Graham Hunter
Multiple Authors
Diego Simeone last led Atlético Madrid in the Champions League when they were just a stone’s throw from a coveted top-eight finish, which would have netted them a lucrative €18.2 million bonus and spared them from two unappealing and risky knockout matches.
However, three weeks later, as the Argentinian coach prepares Atlético for their playoff against Club Brugge on Wednesday for a chance to advance to the round of 16, his position as the most successful coach in the club’s history is arguably under real threat.
Why is that? Because 2026 has been a dreadful year for Atlético.
The stats speak for themselves: just two victories from six matches in LaLiga, with the last three matches yielding no goals—two of which were against teams in the relegation zone. Consequently, Atlético now trails the leaders, Real Madrid, by a staggering 15 points.
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In the Champions League, that top-eight spot was an enticing opportunity for Atlético to secure the €18.2 million bonus and avoid perilous knockout rounds, but they disappointingly managed only one point from six and were left outside looking in on the “Elite” status.
Compounding their embarrassment was a woeful European performance, culminating in a 2-1 defeat to Bodø/Glimt in Madrid.
A simple 4-0 victory over the novice Norwegians would have secured a top-eight finish for Atleti, bumping Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City off the elite table in the process. That would have bolstered the club’s finances and provided much-needed rest for fatigued players. Instead, after taking an early lead, Atlético crumbled against Bodø/Glimt—humiliated by a club from a city of just 48,000 residents in their inaugural Champions League appearance.
In stark contrast, Simeone’s squad managed impressive wins of 5-0 and 4-0 against Real Betis and Barcelona respectively in the Copa del Rey. These results momentarily garnered attention and respect, yet the team’s inconsistency proved alarming, as shortly after thrashing Betis, they succumbed to a 0-1 defeat to the same team in their subsequent LaLiga match.
The inspiring dismantling of the Spanish champions, managed by Hansi Flick, in the Copa semifinal first leg was quickly overshadowed by a shameful 3-0 loss to the relegation-threatened Rayo Vallecano, marking Atlético’s worst defeat to them since 1981.
It’s telling when a goalkeeper, usually a voice of calm, expresses the most damning critique of such erratic performances, and Jan Oblak did not hold back after the defeat to Rayo, clearly frustrated by his teammates’ lackluster display: “After this, it appears we’ve thrown away any chances of winning the league. You cannot lose matches in this manner. We need to perform to our utmost all the time, and we haven’t done that here. Congratulations to Rayo; they were far superior to us, and we deserved to lose.”
Oblak’s suggestion that it would be “extremely difficult for us to be competitive” must resonate particularly with the impending challenges in the Champions League and Copa del Rey semifinal’s second leg. Such remarks from a player involved in his 102nd Champions League match are dire.
Yet, Simeone responded, dismissing Oblak’s comments as exaggerated: “I disagree with Oblak. The team doesn’t choose its matches; we simply played poorly, and when the opponent shows superiority, they beat you.”
Such dismissals from Simeone reflect a troubling pattern—deflect blame while minimizing accountability. In any other club, such patterns would lead to dismissal.
To appreciate the context, especially as Atlético navigates two knockout competitions, it’s worth noting that only in two of the last 10 years has Atlético posted worse statistics at this juncture.
These low points occurred after Matchday 24 in both 2020 and 2022—the first matching the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the second when Simeone admitted to feeling his tenure might be reaching its conclusion.
Following that 2022 dip, the Argentine reflected: “During those weeks before the last World Cup, I felt the cycle was ending.” He acknowledged the team was playing poorly, lacking identity and commitment, and exuding uncertainty—similar to the current crisis.
There were rumors at that time the Atlético directors were preparing to bid him farewell until his team rejuvenated itself and surged up the table.
Fast-forward to the present, and Simeone’s management remains a contentious issue among Atlético’s ownership, media, and supporters.
Despite being the longest-tenured coach in Spanish club history, following an initial wave of trophy success that revitalized the club, the atmosphere has shifted. The club has transitioned from having an impressive trophy cabinet to a focus on profits, with no silverware within the last five years and only one in the past eight seasons—though they did benefit from €85 million generated from a revamped Champions League format last season by reaching the last 16.
After that otherwise disappointing season ended, Simeone disclosed in June 2025 that “one or two friends suggested this was the moment to depart Atlético.”
This change is largely influenced by a new regime taking over the club, following a share acquisition by the US firm Apollo Sports Capital—whose investment is likely based on future planning rather than the glories of Simeone’s past.
A skeptical new boss, Mateu Alemany, is assessing candidates for the role, looking at Villarreal‘s Marcelino and Atleti legend Fernando Torres, currently managing the B-team.
What remains unchanged is Atlético’s need for Champions League success to ensure the financial stability essential for the club’s future.
This season may finally bring a trophy for Simeone, who has repeatedly found himself in precarious situations before somehow emerging unscathed.
Alternatively, another disappointing performance against Bruges could prompt far graver consequences than the familiar yet unacceptable losses to Bodø/Glimt, Betis, and Rayo in recent weeks.
Indeed, Simeone’s career and reputation hang in the balance.