D. Simeone – Bio, Career Overview, Tactics & Performance Analysis

Sports Career of Diego Simeone

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Diego Simeone started his playing career at Vélez Sarsfield's youth team. When Diego Simeone was 14, his youth coach Victorio Spinetto nicknamed him “Cholo” for his energetic playing style, a name he inherited from former Boca Juniors player Carmelo Simeone, who possessed a similar style.

He moved to Serie A side Inter Milan in 1997, where he spent two seasons, winning the 1997/98 UEFA Cup. In 1999, he moved to Lazio, where he helped the side win the Italian double, winning the Serie A and Coppa Italia titles. He played at Lazio until 2003, where he had countless special moments, including scoring a last-day goal against his former side, Inter Milan, in the final matchday of the 2001/02 season, crushing Inter Milan's title dreams. He returned to Atlético Madrid in 2003, spending two seasons there. In December 2004, he moved to Argentine club Racing Club, where he finished his playing career. For the Argentina national team, he amassed 106 caps, becoming the Argentine player to reach 100 caps for Argentina, an important highlight of the illustrious sports career of Diego Simeone.

Diego Simeone Manager Career

After ending his playing career at Racing Club, he took over the managerial role at the club, making them the first Diego Simeone teams coached. He left the side for Estudiantes in 2006. Diego Simeone led the club to their first league title after 23 years, defeating Boca Juniors 2-1. He left the club to join giants River Plate.

In December 2011, he joined Atlético Madrid, replacing Gregorio Manzano. Diego Simeone ended his first season at the club winning the UEFA Europa League, defeating Athletic Bilbao 3-0. In the 2012/13 season, he led the club to the UEFA Super Cup and Copa del Rey titles. He also led the side to a 3rd-place finish in the league, Atlético's best finish in 23 years. Atlético Madrid started the next season by winning the Supercopa de España.

He led the team to the first league title since 1996, after dramatically securing a draw against Barcelona in the final matchday. In the 2013/14 season, he led Atlético Madrid to the UEFA Champions League final, only the second final for the side after 1974. However, the side lost 4-1 to Real Madrid in extra time. The team won the 2017/18 UEFA Europa League against Marseille. The title won their second La Liga title in 2020/21, winning by a 2-point difference with Real Madrid.

Diego Simeone Teams Coached

Diego Simeone took over his first managerial role at Racing Club. He left for Estudiantes in 2006. Diego Simeone led the club to their first league title after 23 years. He then joined River Plate, where he went on to win the 2008 Clausura, after which he joined Serie A side Catania in 2011. In December 2011, he joined Atlético Madrid. Diego Simeone ended his first season winning the UEFA Europa League.

In the 2012/13 season, he led the club to the UEFA Super Cup and Copa del Rey titles. He led the team to the 2013/14 La Liga title, their first title win since 1996. In the 2013/14 season, the tactician led Atlético Madrid to the UEFA Champions League final. The team won the 2017/18 UEFA Europa League. Atletico won their second La Liga title in 2020/21. Here is the list of teams Diego Simeone teams coached and Diego Simeone stats at each club:

Diego Simeone Tactics & Style of Play

Diego Simeone's preferred formation is 4-4-2. In Diego Simeone tactics, the wingers move inside, acting as attacking midfielders, thus creating space for the fullbacks. The formation transforms to 4-2-2-2 when in attack. While defending, the team defends in their own half in a narrow 4–4–2, which consists of two closely connected defensive lines of four players, and then counter-presses the opponents' third to win the ball high up the pitch.

When the ball is won, the team attack as a unit, deploying their fluid 4–2–2–2 formation, with the forwards often shifting to the flanks to create more space. He has also deployed a 3-3-1-3 formation at River Plate. Diego Simeone tactics also involve switching between 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-1-2 while managing Catania.

Diego Simeone Trophies & Achievements

Diego Simeone is one of the most successful managers in modern football. He won his first title at Estudiantes, winning the 2006 Torneo Apertura. His next title win was with Argentine giants, River Plate, winning the 2008 Torneo Clausura.

However, it was at Atlético Madrid where he cemented his managerial legacy. He led the side to LaLiga titles in the 2013/14 and 2020/21 seasons. He also won two UEFA Europa Leagues and the UEFA Super Cup with the side. This was followed by Copa del Rey (2012/13) and Supercopa de España (2014) wins. Here is the list of Diego Simeone trophies.

Diego Simeone Net Worth

Diego Simeone net worth is approximately £107.7 million, primarily earned from his lucrative coaching contract at Atlético Madrid and from his legendary playing career.

Diego Simeone Salary

Diego Simeone salary is £25.9 million per year at Atlético Madrid, making him one of the highest-paid managers in football.

Diego Simeone Family

Diego Simeone has been married twice; Carolina Baldini from 1994-2014 and Carla Pereyra in 2019. He has five children from two marriages: Giuliano Simeone, Gianluca Simeone, and Giovanni Simeone (with Carolina Baldini) and Francesca and Valentina (with Carla Pereyra), making up the Diego Simeone family.

Diego Simeone Wife

Diego Simeone has been married twice. Diego Simeone wife was Carolina Baldini, to whom he was married from 1994-2014. The couple had three children together - Giuliano Simeone, Gianluca Simeone, and Giovanni Simeone; with all three playing professional football. He is currently married to Carla Pereyra, who is an Argentine model. The couple has two children together - Francesca and Valentina.

Diego Simeone Children

Diego Simeone has five children from two marriages. Giuliano Simeone, Gianluca Simeone, and Giovanni Simeone, who all have played professional football, are Diego Simeone children from his first marriage, with Giuliano currently playing under his father at Atlético Madrid. From his second marriage, he has two daughters - Francesca and Valentina.

Diego Simeone Carolina Baldini Divorce

Diego Simeone divorced his first wife, Carolina Baldini, in 2014. Diego Simeone and Carolina Baldini reportedly split on good terms. He recently came out in the media, criticising her for discussing their split publicly.