The end of Simeone era? Americans set to buy Atletico

At the end of this week, American and Spanish economic media reported that the U.S. investment fund Apollo Global Management is in very advanced negotiations with Atletico Madrid’s owners and preparing an astronomical takeover — unprecedented in Spanish football. Apollo would buy out the majority shares from all current owners and thus become yet another fund investing part of its capital in the lucrative world of football. The news even caught media outlets closest to the club off guard. This June they did mention a possible capital expansion, but not a change at the very top. However, as things stand, while the Rojiblancos struggle through what is so far the worst start of the Diego Simeone era, the board is busy cashing in on what has been achieved up to now.

Atletico’s current owners — Miguel Angel Gil, Enrique Cerezo, and Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer — are reportedly all in talks with Apollo. Some sources claim that Gil and Cerezo plan to remain at the helm, while others speak of radical change. Apollo Global Management is primarily specialized as a private pension fund and manages over 700 billion dollars. Through a financial vehicle meant to facilitate its entry into the sports industry, it plans to invest five billion dollars, with a significant portion earmarked for Atletico. It’s no secret the club has been on the market for some time. Miguel Angel Gil recently spoke of his eventual retirement after securing the legacy of the Gil family, which he hoped would be crowned with a Champions League triumph. But the advanced negotiations for a sale suggest he may no longer believe in that dream. Atletico is now incomparably bigger and more valuable than before Simeone’s arrival.

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Thirteen straight seasons in the Champions League and a couple of domestic titles have made the club more attractive both to fans and to investors and sponsors. From building the new stadium — which in 2027 will once again host the Champions League final — to the ongoing 800 million euros sports city project featuring everything from a wave pool to a brewery, Atletico has come a long way. The question is: what has been lost along the way? Especially for the loyal supporters. Gil and Cerezo have long been criticized by a section of the colchoneros, who believe that in their hunger for money and investment, they have forgotten the sporting side of the story. Some of those fans, albeit more cautiously, also recall Simeone’s shortcomings and whisper that maybe it’s time for him to say goodbye. With the latest news, the survival of this trio becomes the central issue.

Despite 350 million euros spent across the last two transfer windows, the squad — and particularly the bench — looks more expensive than effective. Mateo Ruggeri (20 million), Giacomo Raspadori (22 million), last year’s Conor Gallagher (42 million), and even Alexander Sørloth (32 million) are some examples. On top of that, there are six Argentinians, including Nahuel Molina, whose continued presence few can now justify. One of Simeone’s trademarks — an impenetrable defense — has practically become the team’s weakest link, as shown by seven goals conceded in just five matches, including all three at Anfield. Other positions aren’t much better covered — Nico Gonzalez was brought in at the very end of the transfer window because Julian Simeone was the only available right winger.

The illusion that heavy spending would translate into a strong new project has remained just that — an illusion. Perhaps that’s why negotiations with the American investors suddenly shifted direction. Ruben Uria, one of the best-informed journalists on Atletico, admits he was completely surprised, though as early as July he had reported on talks about finding a strategic partner for the sports city project. A sale and the arrival of a new majority owner could allow Gil, Cerezo, and even Simeone to begin a gradual exit — now that all eyes are on them, every failure will come at a high cost, and the dream of winning the Champions League, at least with the current squad and leadership, looks like an illusion as well.

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 5

Friday

Betis - Sociedad 3-1 (1-1)

/Hernandez 7, Remiro 49 og, Fornals 69 - Mendez 13/

Saturday

Girona - Levante 0-4 (0-1)

/Eyong 43, Alvarez 49, Romero 70, Koyalipou 90+2/

Real Madrid - Espanyol 2-0 (1-0)

/Militao 22, Mbappe 47/

Alaves - Sevilla 1-2 (1-1)

/Vicente 17 pen - Vargas 10, Sanchez A. 67/

Villarreal - Osasuna 2-1 (0-1)

/Mikautadze 69, Gueye 85 - Budimir 45+6 pen/

Valencia - Athletic Bilbao 2-0 (0-0)

/Santamaria 73, Duro 90+3/

Sunday

15.00: (2.40) Rayo Vallecano (3.30) Celta (3.00)

17.15: (5.00) Mallorca (3.50) Atl.Madrid (1.75)

19.30: (2.00) Elche (3.30) Oviedo (4.00)

22.00: (1.23) Barcelona (6.75) Getafe (15.0)

*** odds are subject to change***