Simeone proving he can compete with the best

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has proven his ability as a top boss this season

Atletico Madrid made it through to the Champions League final on Wednesday night, winning 3-1 at Chelsea in the semi-final second leg.

Atletico have been fantastic this season and one man is responsible for that success, boss Diego Simeone.

Bright

The Argentinian is one of the brightest young bosses in European football. During his playing days he was regarded as a defensive minded, tough-tackling central midfielder.

His team reflect his personality in that they are tough and have a never-say-die attitude. His Atletico Madrid team may be well drilled at the back, but Simeone’s team are also able to play some very good football.

Simeone has transformed Atleti from mediocrity to title challengers. The club from the Spanish capital are topping La Liga with just two games remaining and now they are in the Champions League final, where they will make history by facing city rivals Real Madrid.

No two teams from one city have ever met in a European cup final, so the two teams from the Spanish capital will create their own little piece of history.

Winner

Simeone has already proven himself a winner as both a player and boss. The 44-year-old has won titles in his homeland with both Estudiantes and River Plate as boss, while at Atletico he has won the Europa League, Copa del Rey and European Super Cup.

It could get even better for the former-Argentinian international with those big trophies still up for grabs. Diego Simeone is somebody that is and always will be a winner.

Linked

With the managerial seat at Manchester United currently empty, Simeone is being linked with the vacancy. The favourite for the vacancy currently seems to be experienced Dutchman Louis van Gaal. United are also believed to be looking at other options as a replacement former-boss David Moyes though.

The Argentinian may not be the favourite for the job, but he would be a fine choice for United. In fact there are very few young bosses out there that have the ability or the potential of Simeone. He is quite simply the rising star of the managerial circuit.

Hard work

Diego Simeone has been successful as a boss because everybody buys into his philosophy and he commands total loyalty and hard work from his players. He has taken Atletico, who have spent very little compared to their rivals in La Liga, to the very top of the domestic game in Spain.

For his team to achieve such success this season suggests that he commands great respect from his players and that he returns that respect in faith in their ability.

Premier League players are often pampered, so Simeone’s approach may take a few by surprise, if he does manage a Premier League club. If he can do it in the Spanish top-flight, he can do it in the Premier League though.

Inexperienced

Simeone is inexperienced compared to the likes of Holland boss Louis van Gaal and Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti. It is known that he would like to try his hand in either Serie A or the Premier League next.

Unlike Serie A, Simeone does not even have the experience of having played in the English top-flight, but is believed to be an admirer of the Premier League. He is a student of the game though and will know an awful lot about the Premier League.

Tactics

On a number of occasions this season Simeone has out-thought the likes of Carlo Ancelotti, Tata Martino and of course Jose Mourinho. He is the sort of boss who knows exactly where his team’s strengths lie and plays to them. Simeone has already got the better of some of the world’s top bosses.

He has got the tactical nous to make it in the Premier League and is far more intelligent than a lot of bosses at so-called big clubs in Europe.

In-demand

Whether Atletico win La Liga or the Champions League this season, Simeone will be one of the most in-demand bosses in world football this summer. The Argentine is apparently also attracting the interest of big-spending French outfit Monaco.

However, a job at a big club like Manchester United may prove a more attractive option to the Argentinian, whether he will be considered for the job remains to be seen though. The United hierarchy would be crazy not to consider one of the most talented young up-and-coming bosses in Europe for their vacant hot seat.

There is also the question of whether he would leave Atleti this summer, especially if they emerge victorious from the Champions League final or La Liga title. The Argentine may just be persuaded to move on for pastures new this summer and there will be no shortage of takers if he does move on that is for sure.

Would Diego Simeone be a good Manchester United boss?