Longevity and football managers—two concepts that rarely sync up, much like a cat and a swimming pool—unless we’re talking about Diego Simeone, of course. This man has been playing the long game at Atlético Madrid since December 2011, making him the longest-serving coach in the club’s illustrious 122-year history and a hallmark of irony in Europe’s managerial wasteland. Isn’t it charming how some people just refuse to leave?
Simeone stepped in as the successor to Gregorio Manzano, and honestly, the club has been trying to pull him out ever since—much like your relatives at Thanksgiving. His two-year deal must have felt a bit like a game of musical chairs, with everyone just waiting for the music to stop. But imagine his surprise when he won the Europa League and UEFA Super Cup shortly after arriving. Clearly, it was a different kind of musical—the sort that ends in a standing ovation and a lucrative four-year extension, complete with a shiny new salary of $5.9 million.
🚨🔴⚪️ Official: Diego Simeone signs new long term deal at Atlético Madrid, valid until June 2027.
The agreement has been sealed today with el Cholo, new salary terms agreed.
From 2011… to 2027. 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/u69npiXN58— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 9, 2023
Simeone’s Paycheck: A Comedy of Error
Fast forward to September 2017, when Simeone decided to extend his stay by a mere two years. The catch? His salary quadrupled, making him LaLiga’s highest-paid head honcho. This isn’t Monopoly money; it’s the sort that might make a humble CEO contemplate a career change. He continued this regardless of sanity into 2019 and 2021, negotiating salary increases as if they were napkins at a dinner table—plentiful and easily discarded.
At his financial zenith, El Cholo was raking in approximately $36.5 million annually before tax, which is a staggering amount of money for mastering the art of yelling at athletes. However, in an act of remarkable self-restraint, he agreed to a pay cut in November 2023 in exchange for a contract stretching to 2027. His new annual pay? Just $27.7 million—pocket change for a manager who could hire a personal cheerleader for this coaching gig.
He’ll also entertain the notion of a nearly $3 million bonus if Atlético Madrid finally manages to win LaLiga or the Champions League. Like a persistent salesman, he keeps hoping to close that deal. After all, despite reaching three Champions League finals, the elusive trophy remains as fickle as a cat with a laser pointer. Who wouldn’t want to add “Oops, I did it again” to their managerial resume?
In his tenure of 789 games, Simeone has celebrated an impressive 466 victories, boasting a win rate of just over 59%. While those stats make you nod with appreciation, let’s not forget the other trophies: two LaLiga titles, one Copa del Rey, one Spanish Supercup, a couple of Europa League triumphs, and two UEFA Super Cups. Basically, a gaudy collection that could rival a local pawn shop’s trophy shelf.
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