Diego Simeone has cast some doubts about his future at Atletico Madrid, as he has hinted towards how football has now changed from how it used to be.
Simeone was in Naples recently for Napoli’s Scudetto party after their win over Fiorentina at the Maradona, as his son Giovanni has won the title with the Partenopei. He has followed in the footsteps of Diego Maradona, who was the last Argentine to win the Scudetto with Napoli.
Simeone recently spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport and he gave his views about a range of topics. He spoke about his future at Atleti, how the game has changed in 2023, the Champions League semi-finals and Napoli’s season so far.
On his future, the Argentine said: “I have another year on my contract, we’ll see what happens. You find the stimuli because in the club you change players so often and you have to adjust the way you are on the pitch. And then football changed.”
Asked further about how the game has changed, the Atleti boss remarked: “The new generation is different and the way we train them and keep them on the pitch is also changing. I’m thinking of Godin and that generation of players with whom we won at Atletico a few years ago. Today, they would be outdated, not only in terms of age but in terms of how they are on the pitch. Everything is faster. And I also need to update and evolve in methodologies as a coach.”
Simeone was also asked about whether he has thought about coaching in Italy or potentially managing one of his former clubs – Lazio and Inter.
He said: “Yes. When I did it in Catania, my approach to the team and my ideas matured a lot. I don’t know how much longer I will be able to train, I’m 53. Another 5? Ours is certainly a stressful job. But then I think that a few days of vacation were enough to make me want to get back on the pitch. The pitch is like a drug for us. I often meet Inter and Lazio fans who ask me to come back. Who knows? I sure would like to.”
Simeone was recently linked with a move to Inter but a move remains complicated due to the finances that will be involved.
Kaustubh Pandey | GIFN
