FALSE 10: The Last Dance of Topocho

Legend has it that about 20 years ago, soon after ending his football career, Diego Simeone asked Pep Guardiola if he could visit him and watch Barcelona B training sessions.

Simeone wanted to see what coaching was really like and to test if he could enter a new profession after a successful playing career.

Armed with insights from Camp Nou and La Masia, Cholo realised coaching was daunting, famously concluding: "Man, I'm not for this job."

Regardless of whether the story is true, the timeline continued shortly after the visit: the Argentinian began his first spell in the dugout and has been very successful ever since. The defining moment of his coaching career came in December 2011, when he was made Atletico Madrid boss.

Reuniting with Los Colchoneros, for whom he played between 2003 and 2005, proved to be the turning point of Simeone's career and a significant moment for Atleti.

Like Moses parting the Red Sea, Cholo drew a line marking Atletico Madrid's past and present.

Until then, Atletico was a decent La Liga side - famous for their 1995-96 double - but nowhere near Valencia, often Spain's third-best team behind Real Madrid and Barcelona.

He left Valencia and others behind, breaking Real and Barca's decade-long duopoly, and won La Liga twice (2013-14, 2020-21). Cholo also led Atletico to UEFA Europa League wins in 2011-12 and 2017-18.

Before Simeone, Atleti reached the Champions League only once, in 1974. Under his leadership, they made two finals in three years (2014, 2016), although both ended in heartbreak against their city rivals.

Simeone found some solace in the Copa del Rey and Super Cup titles. Yet, his true impact reaches beyond national success.

He is currently the second-longest-serving manager in Europe, behind Heidenheim's Frank Schmidt (since 2007). Since that mythical December 2011 until today, Real Madrid and Barcelona have gone through a combined 17 different managers (Pep Guardiola, Tito Villanova, Gerardo Tata Martino, Luis Enrique, Ernesto Valverde, Quique Setien, Ronald Koeman, Xavi, Hansi Flick - Barca; Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti (x2), Rafael Benitez, Zinedine Zidane (x2), Julen Lopetegui, Santiago Solari, Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa - Real Madrid).

Atletico? One and only - Cholo Simeone.

Or Topocho, as they've been calling him these last few days, after his post-match interview following a Champions League clash with Galatasaray went viral. It was a hilarious mix-up, an anecdote of a lifetime, as the reporter asked him in Spanish whether that 1-1 draw changed anything regarding their ambition to get into the top 8 (Top Ocho, in Spanish). However, Simeone thought the journalist was referring to a potential signing, a specific player named Topocho.

"Topocho... hmm... a player?"

Soon, Topocho trended on social media. Witty fans put 'Topocho' on their shirts, running with the joke.

Still, it's not the only thing about Cholo to spread quickly and widely on X (formerly Twitter). Recently, one unreliable account close to the club broke the news (better call it only a rumour for now) that Simeone has decided to leave the club after the end of the season. As surreal as it may sound, the fact is that Cholo's Atletico Madrid's curve has been going down for a while, culminating in a disappointing 2-1 home loss to Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League. Following that match, Atleti lost their top 8 spot, and the players - along with their boss - were whistled off by ardent fans. Maybe for the first time since 2011, the supporters have turned their backs on their beloved street-fighter. Doubts have emerged, but he's been honest like always.

"The fans always have the option to express themselves as they feel, and we, to work to bring the best to the club," Simeone told Mundo Deportivo after the match.

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Then he demonstrated one of the crucial virtues that kept him on Atletico's bench all this time - protecting his players from criticism.

"We gave it our all. I can't think of anything more to ask of the players. They're putting in the effort, they're competing. We haven't been clinical enough in the final third, but those opportunities will come."

"The only solution is to keep creating chances, to encourage the team, so we can give our all. There's no other way. The path we're on is good. We need to maintain it and stay strong for what's ahead, because important things are coming."

Despite persistent questioning, Simeone's uncompromising character distinguishes him. Even at the age of 55, a few months after he became a grandad for the first time.

A few days ago, a reporter asked why Simeone supports striker Julian Alvarez, who's been underperforming.

"Why should we believe in Julian?" he asked ahead of Atletico's today La Liga clash with Levante.

"Seriously?" Cholo reacted, then said: "You're really asking me this?"

Maybe this is Topocho's last dance, but at least it will be unforgettable.

By: BOJAN BABIC

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 22

Friday

Espanyol - Alaves 1-2 (1-1)

/Fernandez 15 - Blanco 27, Boye 71/

Saturday

16.00: (2.70) Oviedo (3.20) Girona (2.90)

18.15: (2.90) Osasuna (3.40) Villareal (2.55)

20.30: (5.25) Levante (4.25) Atl.Madrid (1.65)

23.00: (7.50) Elche (5.60) Barcelona (1.35)

Sunday

16.00: (1.27) Real Madrid (6.75) Rayo Vallecano (11.0)

18.15: (1.90) Betis (3.60) Valencia (4.50)

20.30: (2.85) Getafe (2.95) Celta (2.85)

23.00: (2.35) Ath.Bilbao (3.35) Sociedad (3.35)

Monday

23.00: (2.40) Mallorca (3.20) Sevilla (3.10)

***odds are subject to change***