Manager Watch: 5 destinations Diego Simeone could've chosen instead of staying at Atletico Madrid
As soon as Atletico Madrid were beaten by Real Madrid in the finals, Diego Simeone came out and said that he was unsure if he would continue at Atletico Madrid. He said, “Do I have to continue with Atlético or is it the end of a cycle? I have to think about that,” he continued.
“It’s a logical question for you to ask after a defeat like the one we’ve suffered today.” Those words at the time clearly displayed that the former Atletico Madrid man was not satisfied with the situation at Atletico, making him hungry for a new challenge. He was linked to several clubs and international teams since that revelation.
And while he has re-committed to Atleti since, whilst Simeone was in two minds, we let our imagination run wild. Here are five destinations El Cholo could’ve chosen instead of staying on at Atletico Madrid:
1. Argentina
It is only logical for a decorated former player to one day coach his own national team. El Cholo is no different. He has the pedigree that a coach needs to succeed at the international level, complemented by the hunger and the desire to always win a game at any cost.
So great is his passion to win a game that Phil Neville once said about the man,“It really is win at all costs for him and I think Simeone would shoot his grandma to win a football match.
He is just that type.” He would’ve been the right person to bring Argentina back to their glory days as the Albiceleste have lost three out of three finals that they have played including the 2014 World Cup finals, 2015 Copa Americas and the recently held 2016 Copa America Centenario.
2. Arsenal
Arsenal fans have been crying out for the board to finally take the big step of removing long-standing manager Arsene Wenger with a younger and a hungrier one. Who else other than Diego Simeone? With all the major clubs either having appointed new managers or being extremely happy with the status quo, Simeone could’ve definitely looked at the North London club as an option.
He is a proven achiever, winning the league against the like of Real Madrid and Barcelona and reaching the Champions League twice in three years. Arsenal fans have been left frustrated as their club has now failed to win the Premier League since they won it in the 2003/04 season when they went undefeated.
The Gunners have also failed to reach the latter stages of the Champions League, having stumbled in the round of 16 for the last five years. This move could’ve definitely paid dividends as a change in management had the chance to propel Arsenal once again into becoming a club that challenges for titles.