A history of Diego Simeone's touchline antics

Diego Simeone is always a compelling watch on the touchline Soccrates Images via Getty Images Share articleNobody in football works the touchline quite like Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone. The Argentinian’s actions are often as absorbing and compelling as what happens on the pitch. The latest installment came during the Champions League semi-final first leg against Arsenal last Wednesday, particularly after the away side were awarded a second penalty of the game in the 80th minute, when Eberechi Eze went down under a challenge by David Hancko. As Danny Makkelie waited for instructions from the video assistant referee (VAR) Dennis Higler, Simeone could be seen trying to grab the Dutch referee’s attention by waving his arms in the air and imitating the ‘TV screen’ VAR signal. Makkelie was advised to review the incident and, after watching it 13 times, reversed his decision. Footage on social media showed Simeone being prevented from approaching the referee while again waving his arms in his direction as the official studied the pitchside screen. “I thought the behaviour of Diego Simeone and his assistants when the referee was trying to come over and look at the monitor was atrocious,” said former Liverpool, Real Madrid and England midfielder Steve McManaman, who was working as a pundit on the game for TNT Sports. Simeone’s response to the overturned decision, keeping the score at 1-1, was to try to pump up his players. After the final whistle, with the sides still level at that scoreline, fan videos on social media appeared to show him confronting Ben White after the Arsenal defender walked across the Atletico club badge near the tunnel entrance. Just a normal day at the office, then, for the 56-year-old Simeone, who lives and breathes every second of the action as if he were still playing. Atletico have carried the ‘dark arts’ label during his 15-year spell in charge and reflect Simeone’s intensity on the touchline, where he plays the role of the pantomime villain to perfection. They may have changed in footballing terms from rugged defenders to a more free-flowing outfit, but their boss, who regularly wears an all-black suit, shirt and tie during games, has not. He can also be a joker. When asked before the second leg against Arsenal at the Emirates whether superstition was the reason for Atletico changing their London hotel from the one they used before the 4-0 league-phase defeat at the same ground in October, Simeone said: “We’re better now than we were in October. And the hotel was cheaper. That’s why we changed.” Before what is sure to be an emotionally-charged match tonight (Tuesday), The Athletic has looked back at some of his most memorable touchline moments. It is probably not a surprise that we begin with a game involving Atletico’s neighbours Real Madrid, given how many times the 15-time European champions have knocked their city rivals out of the Champions League — and it doesn’t get more high profile than the competition’s 2014 final. Simeone’s side had been moments away from the trophy that night in Lisbon, until Sergio Ramos headed a 93rd-minute equaliser. Madrid then ran out 4-1 winners thanks to three more goals in extra time but, after Cristiano Ronaldo scored their fourth from the penalty spot, his team-mate Raphael Varane kicked a stray ball in the direction of the opposition dugout. Simeone controlled the ball before firing it back in the defender’s direction, with Varane having to duck to avoid it. The Atletico coach then went onto the pitch in an attempt to confront the France international, before being escorted back off it by his own staff members and players. “Varane provoked me by kicking the ball at me,” Simeone told his post-match press conference. “Us older guys don’t like people doing that kind of thing to us. I also made a mistake with my reaction. He’s a young guy with a bright future.” Three months later, against the same opponents in the second leg of the Supercopa de Espana, Simeone learnt another valuable lesson — don’t tap the fourth official on the back of the head. After 25 minutes, home side Atletico were leading 1-0 (and 2-1 on aggregate) but Simeone took issue with the amount of time it took his defender Juanfran to be allowed to return to the pitch after getting treatment for a cut lip. The Argentinian repeatedly gestured on the sidelines and then, when fourth official Antonio Santos walked past him to return to his position, tapped him on the back of the head twice. Simeone was shown a red card, and eventually left the field after further protests, then apologised for his actions after the game. He received an eight-match suspension — four for touching the linesman’s head, two for protesting, one for sarcastically applauding his sending-off and another for remaining in the stands instead of heading down the tunnel. As an 11-year-old, Simeone had been a ball boy at a 1982 game featuring Argentine sides Velez Sarsfield and Boca Juniors, when he was sent off for throwing an extra ball on the pitch to try and confuse Boca goalkeeper Hugo Gatti as Velez tried to launch a counter-attack. Thirty-four years later, there was more ball-boy controversy involving Simeone, but this time as a manager. As Atletico and Malaga approached half-time in a La Liga game in April 2016 with the scores level, the latter launched a counter-attack. From close to the Atletico dugout, a second ball was thrown onto the pitch, halting play. It was not initially clear who the guilty party was, although TV footage found the culprit to be a ball boy. Simeone did not return to the bench after half-time due to La Liga rules that state that a head coach is responsible for the behaviour of his bench personnel and other staff. Whether Simeone was involved or encouraged the ball to be thrown on remains a mystery, although footage appeared to show him turning towards the ball boy before the Malaga move was stopped. “It’s clear that the referee took the correct decision, following the rules,” Simeone, who was later banned for three matches for the incident, said post-match. “He did what he had to do, sending off the coach. It was a kid who was beside us, but that does not change anything.” There have been other occasions when Simeone has been unable to resist getting involved. During a Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich 10 years ago, he ended up tussling with winger Franck Ribery while engaging in a verbal back-and-forth with their manager Pep Guardiola. More recently, he has clashed twice with Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior this season, during Atletico’s 2-1 defeat in the Supercopa de Espana semi-final in January and then in a 3-2 league loss in March. The Brazil international played a key role in his side winning both games. In the first incident, TV footage appeared to show Simeone goading Vinicius Jr after an Atletico penalty appeal, suggesting Madrid president Florentino Perez wanted to sell him. The pair exchanged words when the winger was substituted after 81 minutes and both received yellow cards. Real’s then head coach Xabi Alonso said that his Atletico counterpart wasn’t “an example of a good sportsman”, and Simeone again apologised for his actions four days later in a press conference. In March, Simeone took issue with Vinicius Jr’s actions as he was substituted in the 87th minute, with the player raising his arms and encouraging the Bernabeu crowd to increase the noise levels. England supporters will doubtless remember the former Argentina midfielder’s role in David Beckham’s red card during their 1998 World Cup round of 16 tie. But while his antics are regularly criticised in England and by rival fans, they come from a mentality of wanting to win — and he is beloved by his players. Simeone’s competitive edge is never clearer than in his goal celebrations. Perhaps his most controversial one was against Juventus in a 2019 Champions League round-of-16 first leg win. When Jose Maria Gimenez opened the scoring for Atletico, Simeone turned to the crowd and grabbed his crotch, which he later explained was because his side “have balls”. Simeone was fined €20,000, and another apology was issued as he said the gesture came “from the heart”. Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, appeared to imitate the move after scoring a hat-trick in his side’s return leg victory, and also received a €20,000 fine. Against Barcelona in the quarter-finals of this season’s Champions League, Simeone performed a ‘go to sleep’ gesture towards Barca fans in the closing stages of the second leg to indicate the tie was over. As much as he enjoys celebrating goals, however, he does not always respond well to setbacks, as those near the away dugout at Anfield found out in the aftermath of Virgil van Dijk’s winner in Atletico’s 3-2 league-phase defeat to Liverpool earlier this season. Simeone appeared to be angered by the home supporters, with footage showing him heading towards the same section of that stand twice. Stewards and staff members had to restrain him and, when his attention turned towards the fourth official, with Simeone appearing to gesture towards the crowd, it was not long before he was shown a red card. After the game, Simeone described his reaction as “not justifiable” but said he had been insulted throughout the match. The only moment of the game Simeone has no interest in engaging in is the traditional post-match handshake with his opposite number. He is often the first to leave the scene once the final whistle blows, making a beeline for the dressing room. It is something those who face him regularly in Spain are used to, but former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was not aware of that when his side played Atletico in the Champions League in 2021. Klopp was left looking bemused as he held out his hand while watching his counterpart hurry away… …before sarcastically offering a thumbs-up and wagging his finger in the direction of the tunnel. Klopp initially aired his frustration during his post-match media duties but was then informed of Simeone’s routine and said in his press conference: “He’s running off and I could have just turned around. He doesn’t do anything wrong, and I’m not overly happy with my reaction, to be honest.” Simeone offered his own explanation as to why he does that. “I always go without shaking hands at the end of the game,” he said. “I don’t think it’s healthy or natural, because there will always be one (of the managers) who’s not happy with the game. I always leave quickly if I lose or win.” With Atletico’s semi-final against Arsenal finely poised, the cameras are likely to be trained on Simeone once more tonight. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms