El Cholo enters the Olympus of coaches with most games focused on the same club
‘Sir’ Alex Ferguson, Valery Lobanovsky, Matt Busby, Helenio Herera, Guy Roux, Bill Shankly, Brian Clough, Jock Stein, Miguel Muñoz, Johan Cruijff, Pep Guardiola, José Mourinho or Luis Aragonés. The sacred pantheon of Olympus of the greatest coaches in history opens its doors wide open to Diego Pablo Simeone. El Cholo, who is no longer an ordinary coach, but a living legend of Atlético de Madrid, joins the select club of the best coaches in history by himself. His numbers and data would be enough to write a kilometric article. More games managed, more games won, more titles, better streak, more games without conceding or the best percentage of mattress wins in history adorn an impressive record. However, Cholo’s legacy at Atleti is beyond any title, streak or win. It’s in the heart.
Simeone, who took a death and returned a champion, reprogrammed the team, refounded the club, and rewrote the club’s story. Simeone’s true legacy, the best thing to happen to Atleti in his entire history, lies in the boundless energy he instilled in a club that was a sleeping giant before his arrival. El Cholo woke Atleti, with a blow of the horn, with a shirt, sweat and accessories, until he was placed with the elite. From depression to triumph, from improvisation to the plan, from the lost north to southern pride, from nothing to everything. He gave back their stolen pride. First he convinced the team, the club and the fans that to be big you have to fight like a small team. He then convinced them that the heart could fit the budget. And then he invited them to join in thinking big: If you work and believe, can.
Simeone, with his victories and defeats, his successes and failures, remains after eleven long years the man who supports an entire club. Barca had Johan Cruyff. The forest had Brian Clough. Dinamo had Lobanovski. Arsenal vs Wenger. Madrid, to Munoz. And at Atleti, life kissed him on the mouth with Simeone. First he could enjoy the mythical Luis. And now he’s lucky enough to keep counting on Cholo. His ship, which is full when he wins and empties when he earns less, has always steered a steady course. Make possible what everyone tells you is impossible. He’ll hit or miss, he’ll win or lose, he’ll do better or worse, but his roadmap allows for no discussion: talking to Simeone about the question is like talking to Noah about the rain. No one demands more than him. Live for and for Atleti. They’ve been predicting the end of his cycle for eleven years, but he’s still there, against all odds, fighting to make his dream come true. And when he leaves one day, he will always be there, because memory and gratitude are eternal. It’s not Diego Pablo Simeone. It’s Diego “Father” Simeone. It’s not that Atleti is his home. It is an intimate diary of the club. Simeone is Atleti and Atleti is Simeone.
Reuben Uria
Source: Goal