MADRID — Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone will pursue his ninth trophy at the club when Atletico face Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final in Seville in April 2026. Simeone, who was appointed in December 2011, has taken charge of the club on 786 occasions, recording 465 wins, 170 draws and 151 defeats over more than 14 and a half seasons.

When Simeone arrived, Atletico had just been eliminated from the Copa del Rey by third-tier club Albacete and sat 10th in La Liga, 21 points behind the leaders. In the 2011-12 season, Atletico won the UEFA Europa League. The 2012-13 campaign brought both the UEFA Super Cup and the Copa del Rey. In 2013-14, the club captured the La Liga title — its first league championship in 18 years — and has qualified for the UEFA Champions League in every season since.

Simeone guided Atletico to a second La Liga title in 2020-21. The period also included Champions League final losses to Real Madrid in 2014 and 2016. The club currently sits fourth in La Liga, 16 points behind leaders Barcelona, and faces Barcelona three times in the following two weeks: once in the league and twice in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Simeone remains under contract until June 2027. Apollo Sports Capital became the majority owner of Atletico in March 2026.

"Since arriving at the club, I have given everything. I will always give everything, until the last day I am here," Simeone said. He has also spoken about his future beyond Atletico. "It doesn't depend on just me, but in my coaching career I can imagine myself managing Inter [Milan] one day. I think it will happen one day," Simeone said.

Supporter Guillermo Muela said: "We went from being 'El Pupas - the jinxed ones' to a club that can compete against Barcelona and Real Madrid without fear."

Muela also voiced reservations about the club's direction. "I love him and I cherish those beautiful memories that he created and will always appreciate everything that he has done for us. But I sometimes feel that the best for both would be to move on," Muela said.

Fellow supporter Javier del Amo said: "One of his biggest achievements is getting the fans identified again with the team." Del Amo added: "I want what Simeone wants. He is so special for us so I want the best for him."