Earthquake at Atletico Madrid: Search to replace Diego Simeone has begun

Atletico Madrid are indelibly linked to Diego Simeone and vice versa, but the process of untangling their ties has begun, according to the latest reports from the Spanish capital.

Only once before in his thirteen years at the club have the Rojiblancos considered replacing El Cholo, but Relevo assures that the process is underway to sign his successor. They say he has been gradually losing power since new football director Carlos Bucero arrived at the club 10 months ago. There is a feeling at the club that his figure is worn down after so many years and that he is struggling to get the best out of his players.

One of the biggest signs of this is that sporting director Andrea Berta is expected to leave at the end of the season and will no longer be responsible for many of the duties he previously performed, nor will he be allowed in the dressing room. . Berta was Simeone's right-hand man, and although Simeone had absolute power at the club, Bucero's presence has diluted that.

Although he signed a new contract until 2027 last year, that was partly to spread his large salary. For the 2023-2024 season he would earn €45 million gross, and over the course of 2024-2027 his total salary would exceed €100 million.

There are three things keeping him at the club at the moment. First, they need to come to an agreement on his salary because they don't want to pay out his contract. Secondly, they want Simeone to make the first move because they believe he has the right to decide, and thirdly, the club's owners want to sell in the near future and are negotiating with Simeone as part of the takeover . package.