Atletico Madrid are considering replacing Diego Simeone, with Thomas Tuchel heading the list of replacements. Mauricio Pochettino is also being considered if the Spanish giants fail to land Tuchel.
How many top clubs have kept their manager for three seasons or more? You’d have to go to England, where Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have been around for 13 years combined. It is a rare feat, especially with clubs chasing the top honours and looking for managers that can deliver on the mandate.
In the ever-competitive world of football, Diego Simeone is a dinosaur. The Argentine tactician has been at the Metropolitano for 11 years. He has achieved modest success with the club, including taking them to two Champions League finals, where they lost to city rivals Real Madrid.
The former Atletico midfielder has been fiercely loyal to the club, but with time comes diminishing returns, and perhaps the club should question if it is time to let Simeone take a break. Things are not going to script this season, with Simeone coming under pressure. For the first time in a decade, there are talks of replacing the Argentine, and Thomas Tuchel has popped up as number one to take his place.
Thomas Tuchel, an option to replace Diego Simeone
It is not conclusive but talks to replace Simeone are growing louder, and the under-pressure Atletico manager walks a tightrope. The results have not come for Simeone, leaving the Colchoneros outside of Champions League places. The current situation at the club is growing more untenable, putting Simeone’s job at risk.
Simeone is the highest-paid manager in the world, but this is not reflected in the kind of football the side plays. They are fifth in La Liga and crashed out of the Champions League, finishing fourth in their group. What are the options for Atletico if they should sack Diego Simeone?
Thomas Tuchel has emerged as the first choice to take over at the Metropolitano if Simeone is to leave. According to reports in Spain, the German gaffer heads the list of potential replacements for the Argentine.
Spanish outlet Fichajes reports that Atletico sees former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel as a perfect replacement for Simeone. They believe he can reinvigorate the ailing team.
Tuchel and other options
Thomas Tuchel (49) is currently clubless. The German lost his job at Chelsea in early September following a poor run of form by his side. There have been rumours linking the German with the role of the England national team manager. The rumours suggest he will take over from Gareth Southgate, who leads the Three Lions to the World Cup in Qatar.
Tuchel claims to have loved every day at Stamford Bridge. According to the former Borussia Dortmund manager, his stint at Chelsea ended too early, but he accepts the decision was out of his hands. He concluded that it goes with the terrain.
Fichajes also claim that Atletico have eyes on other targets outside Tuchel. According to Fichajes, former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino is a backup option for Atletico if their pursuit of Tuchel fails.
Luis Enrique was considered but dropped by Atletico president Enrique Cerezo. According to the reports, Luis Enrique wants to take a break after leading La Furia Roja to the World Cup, effectively ruling him out of the running.
