Diego Simeone Longest-Serving Manager, How His Style Shaped Atlético Madrid

In the world of elite football management, few figures command as much respect—and as high a price tag—as Diego "Cholo" Simeone. Since taking the reins at Atlético Madrid in December 2011, Simeone has transformed the club from mid-table strugglers into a perennial European powerhouse. Known for his "Cholismo" philosophy of grit, defensive discipline, and relentless intensity, he is currently the longest-serving manager in Europe’s top five leagues.

Simeone remains the highest-paid manager in world football, though his tenure is facing unprecedented scrutiny following internal rifts at the Metropolitano.

How many trophies has Diego Simeone won?

Throughout his illustrious career, Diego Simeone has won a total of 10 major trophies as a manager across Argentina and Spain.

Club	Trophies Won	Key Titles
Atlético Madrid	8	2x La Liga, 2x Europa League, 2x UEFA Super Cup, 1x Copa del Rey, 1x Spanish Super Cup
River Plate	1	1x Argentine Primera División (Clausura 2008)
Estudiantes	1	1x Argentine Primera División (Apertura 2006)

Note: He also famously led Atlético to two UEFA Champions League finals (2014 and 2016), narrowly losing both to Real Madrid.

Diego Simeone’s Salary & Net Worth 2026

Simeone consistently tops the list of the world's highest-paid coaches.

Annual Salary: Approximately £25.9 Million (€30M+). Even after a reported pay cut in his latest contract extension through 2027, he outearns rivals like Pep Guardiola and Simone.

Inzaghi Net Worth: Estimated at roughly £102 Million ($130M) in early 2026, making him the second-richest manager in football history behind Wayne Rooney.

The Longest Reign: 14+ Years at Atlético

Simeone has been at Atlético Madrid for over 14 years (joined Dec 23, 2011). However, as of February 2026, his future is uncertain. Reports suggest a "strained relationship" with the club’s sporting director, Mateu Alemany, and star striker Julian Alvarez has fueled rumors that this may be his final season in Madrid.

What did Diego Simeone say about Messi?

Simeone’s relationship with Lionel Messi is one of mutual respect and tactical obsession.

The "Dwarf" Nickname: Former defender Filipe Luís recently revealed that Simeone used to call Messi "The Dwarf" (el enano) in team talks—not out of disrespect, but as a psychological tactic to make his players less afraid of the superstar.

The GOAT Debate: Simeone has consistently stated that if he had to choose between Messi and Ronaldo for a team of "normal" players, he would pick Ronaldo; but for a team of superstars, "Messi is the best in the world, without a doubt."

Family: The Simeone Dynasty

Football runs deep in the Simeone bloodline. Diego has five children, and all three of his sons are professional footballers:

Giovanni Simeone: Striker for Torino (on loan from Napoli).

Gianluca Simeone: Playing professionally in the Spanish lower leagues.

Giuliano Simeone: Currently a winger at Atlético Madrid under his father’s management; he recently debuted for the Argentina senior national team.

Teams Coached & Tactical Profile

Teams Coached: Racing Club, Estudiantes, River Plate, San Lorenzo, Catania, and Atlético Madrid.

Preferred Formation: While famous for a rigid 4-4-2, in the 2025/26 season, he has frequently transitioned to a 3-5-2 or 5-3-2 to accommodate the attacking flair of players like Ademola Lookman and Antoine Griezmann.