Atletico is set to 'transform' Simeone to surpass Pep Guardiola

Atletico Madrid is ready to extend Diego Simeone's contract to ensure he remains the top earner among coaches worldwide. The figure Simeone will soon get is said to be twice that of Man City's Pep Guardiola.

After more than a decade under the reign Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid still wants to keep the Argentine coach. Marca reports that Atletico's management sees Simeone as an irreplaceable figure who has helped multiply the club's value fivefold over the past 13 years. In total, Simeone has managed Atletico for 14 years, with his current contract running until 2027.

However, Atletico's leadership, including President Miguel Angel Gil Marin, CEO Mateu Alemany, and major shareholder Apollo Sports Capital, still regard the Argentine coach as an indispensable pillar for upcoming projects. Therefore, Atletico's board aims to extend Simeone's contract until 2029 or even 2030. If he agrees to the new terms, this will be Simeone's ninth contract renewal since joining the club. Simeone arrived at Atletico midway through the 2011/12 season, when the Madrid team was still competing in the Europa League.

He is listed among the highest-paid coaches globally, earning Atletico 34 million euros annually, nearly one and a half times Pep Guardiola's 23 million euros. According to El Pais, in the new contract, Atletico may pay Simeone over 40 million euros, excluding bonuses. If this happens, Simeone's salary will far exceed Guardiola's.

Notably, within the top 10 highest-paid coaches worldwide right now, Guardiola is not second. That spot belongs to Simeone Inzaghi of Al Hilal, who earns 25 million euros annually. Third is Guardiola, followed by names like Mikel Arteta (Arsenal - 18 million euros per year) and surprisingly David Moyes of Everton (14.5 million euros annually).

Atletico's generous treatment of Simeone reflects the absolute trust the leadership has in this talented yet strong-willed coach. If Simeone agrees, extending until 2030 will place him among legendary managers like Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger in terms of tenure at a single club. Naturally, alongside this, Atletico's leadership hopes the team can compete fairly for titles in the coming years.