DIEGO SIMEONE has told Atletico Madrid that he will leave the club at the end of the season, according to reports.
The Argentine has brought unprecedented success during his 11-year stay at the club, winning two La Liga titles and reaching two Champions League finals.
However, the club have had a horror first half of the season domestically and continentally.
Following a 1-0 defeat at home to Barcelona, Atleti sit fifth in the table, outside the Champions League places.
And they suffered an embarrassing Champions League campaign, finished bottom of a group containing Porto, Bayer Leverkusen and Club Brugge.
Journalist Paco Garcia Caridad told El Chiringuito: “Simeone will not continue at Atleti in the coming season.
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“He has told [President] Gil Marin that he will leave in January.”
Simeone’s season so far has also been marred by a row with star talent Joao Felix.
The Portugal star is reportedly on the verge of joining Chelsea on loan after falling out with the Argentine.
Paco Garcia Caridad also suggested that Joao Felix was ready to agree a one-year contract extension with Atletico precisely because Simeone is set to depart.
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Simeone led Atletico to the 2014 title with a famous draw at the Nou Camp in a final day clash in which either team could have won the league.
And he repeated the feat in the lockdown season in 2020-21 as the club won their 11th title on the final day.
However, he was not able to bring the coveted Champions League trophy to the club for the first time as he was thwarted twice by rivals Real Madrid.
In 2014, a last minute Sergio Ramos header took the game to extra time where Real won 4-1.
And in 2016 Atleti were beaten on penalties by the same opposition after a 1-1 draw.
Simeone did get one over the club’s great rivals in one cup final though, famously beating Real at the Bernabeu to win the 2013 Copa del Rey.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
