Diego Simeone's once unassailable government in Atletico Madrid is confronted with his biggest crisis, because the Club Great starts its 14th season in the midst of the increasing pressure after four trophy-most-time campaigns and a growing disconnection between his measured ambitions and the goals of the board.
The Argentinian transformed Atletico from a low, struggling team in the south side of the Spanish capital into a European powerhouse, and reached two Champions League finals in three years with a ruthless, physically impressive style that left rich clubs with stellar Squadrons who struggled with.
However, since winning their 11th LaLiga title in 2021, Simeone has not succeeded in supplying silverware while preaching that the main objective of Atletico does not win titles, but ends in the top three in Laliga and claims that they cannot compete financially with Barcelona and Real Madrid.
That discourse has become a difficult pill for swallowing fans and experts while Atletico continues to spend a lot of money every season.
Last year they bought Julian Alvarez, Alexander Sorloth, Robin le Normand and Conor Gallagher in deals of nearly 200 million euros ($ 232.54 million), followed by Alex Baena, David Hancko, Johnny Cardozo and Thiago Almada for more than 150 million this period.
Those signing sessions have joined a team of established players such as Antoine Griezmann, Nahuel Molina, Jan Oblak, Marcos Alonso, Jose Maria Gimenez and Kokez, making the modest objectives of Simeone more and more reality.
Club owner Miguel Angel Gil Marin gave a message last week that the cautious approach to Simeone directly contradicts.
“We are firmly convinced that we are building a team to dream big. We are ambitious, we take risks, we have brought and will bring in new partners who are willing to invest capital, which is needed to continue to grow in sporting, social and infrastructure conditions,” he said.
Atletico's disappointing early group output at the very profitable club World Cup offered the latest setback, with a humiliating 4-0 defeat by Paris St Germain who uncovered known weaknesses, including vulnerable defense against broad players and lack of creativity in the last third part.
Critics and fans wonder whether the most paid manager in Europe can still inspire a team that has stagnated in both domestic and European competition, with increasing challenges to reclaim their status as contenders on all fronts.
Atletico will start their Laliga challenge in Espanyol on August 17.
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